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Clasp: Common Lisp using LLVM and C++ for Molecular Metaprogramming

Google TechTalks · 51.7K views · 2015-06-15 · 57:38

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Overview

Christian Schafmeister's Google Tech Talk on designing spiroligomer molecules and building Clasp, a Common Lisp on LLVM that interoperates with C++, to program molecular design. It covers the chemistry, automatic differentiation for force fields, and how the compiler is built.

On Hacker News

HN repeatedly cites it as a striking example of Common Lisp used to push the frontier of science, and as one of the most inspiring tech talks.

Recommended by 8 HN people across 8 months · HN mentions 2015–2024

Topics

Functional programmingCompilers, interpreters & program analysisChemistry
Search by tags
claspllvmcommon lispnanotechnologymetaprogramming

What people said

pmarin · 2018-04 · Strong recommendation

The most inspiring talk a I have ever seen: Clasp: Common Lisp using LLVM and C++ for Molecular Metaprogramming. ABSTRACT This talk describes our unique approach to constructing large, atomically precise molecules (called "Molecular Lego" or "spiroligomers") that could act as new therapeutics, new catalysts (molecules that make new chemical reactions happen faster) and ultimately to construct atomically precise molecular devices. Then I describe Clasp and CANDO, a new implementation of the powerful language Common Lisp. Clasp is a Common Lisp compiler that uses LLVM to generate fast machine code and it interoperates with C++. CANDO is a molecular design tool that uses Clasp as its programming language. Together I believe that these are the hardware (molecules) and the software (the CANDO/Clasp compiler) that will enable the development of sophisticated molecular nanotechnology. [VIDEO]

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golergka · 2016-05 · Strong recommendation

[VIDEO] This talk is even better. "C++ templates are to Commmon Lisp macros what IRS tax return forms are to poetry". I don't know both well enough to tell if it's true, but damn it's a good metaphor.

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nabla9 · 2016-02 · Strong recommendation

Lisp is programmable programming language, especially Common Lisp. It works as programmer amplifier. Better you are, more you benefit from it. I challenge anyone to watch this lecture from Christian Schafmeister and say they are not impressed: [VIDEO] and [LINK]

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Sources

Video by Google TechTalks, played through YouTube.

Data and selection notes

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