Question 1

How do I install CIEL on macOS?

Accepted Answer

CIEL doesn't provide pre-built binaries for macOS, but you can build it from source using the 'make macos-deps' command for dependencies or run it via Docker, as detailed in the README.

Question 2

CIEL vs standard SBCL for scripting: which is better?

Accepted Answer

CIEL is better for scripting due to its fast startup, bundled libraries, and enhanced REPL, while standard SBCL offers more control and stability but requires manual setup. CIEL reduces boilerplate for common tasks.

Question 3

How to use CIEL with Emacs Slime?

Accepted Answer

Configure Slime to start SBCL with the CIEL core image by adding a new Lisp implementation in your Emacs init file, as shown in the README's 'Core image' section, enabling instant loading with all libraries.

Question 4

Does CIEL support Windows?

Accepted Answer

CIEL is primarily developed for Unix-like systems; Windows support isn't mentioned. Users can try running it via WSL or Docker, but native support is likely limited or untested, requiring community contributions.

Question 5

How to add custom libraries to a CIEL script?

Accepted Answer

You can use Quicklisp within CIEL scripts to load additional libraries, but ensure compatibility with CIEL's bundled versions. For complex projects, manage dependencies as in standard Lisp, though CIEL's curated set may reduce the need.

Question 6

Is CIEL good for web development?

Accepted Answer

CIEL includes HTTP libraries for APIs and scraping, but for full web applications, you'd need additional frameworks. It's more focused on scripting and CLI tools, though it can serve as a base for web projects.

CIEL

What is CIEL?

Overview

Use Cases

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Pros & Cons

Pros

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Frequently Asked Questions