Difference between LISP and Prolog

Today, there are two of the most common AI (Artificial Intelligence) computer programming languages are LISP and Prolog. They are designed with two distinct programming paradigms, and LISP is a functional language, whereas Prolog is a formal language. The main difference between these languages is that LISP was considered a computation model based on the theory of recursive functions. In contrast, the prolog includes a set of formal logic specifications that employ first-order predicate calculus.

In this article, you will learn about the difference between LISP and Prolog. But before discussing the differences, you must know about LISP and Prolog with their advantages and disadvantages.

What is LISP?

LISP is an abbreviation for "LISt Processing". Lisp is a computer programming language family. It is a functional computer language that was created and used by John McCarthy and the MIT group in 1960. It was primarily utilized in the computer science research initiatives, such as those involving artificial intelligence (including theorem proving, intelligent systems, robotics, natural language processing, etc.).

The most distinguishing characteristic of LISP language from other languages is the equivalence of forms between program and data, which means that LISP can execute data structures as programs, and programs may be altered as data. Furthermore, despite iteration, it is more dependent on recursion as a control mechanism (looping).

LISP generates an interactive environment for running its programs. In an interactive environment, the main program alters the form, and the user inserts the main program as a sequence of expressions to be inspected at the terminal. It doesn't utilize block structure or any other type of complex syntactic organization, and it utilizes calls to communicate with the other functions running simultaneously.

Components of LISP Programming

There are mainly two components of LISP programming. These are as follows:

1. Atoms

Atoms are the types of identifiers that are utilized in imperative languages. It includes symbols and numeric values.

2. Lists

These are an essential component of LISP programming is list processing, which is why they are utilized as a data structure in LISP. Unlike lists in other languages, these lists are defined by delimiting their components within parentheses rather than utilizing the insert and delete operations.

Advantages and Disadvantages of LISP

There are various advantages and disadvantages of LISP. Some advantages and disadvantages of LISP are as follows:

Advantages

1. It has clear and concise syntax and semantics.
2. Lisp allows programmers to create faster apps. It helps to develop the app in less time and sprint faster.
3. It provides a broad range of primitives for creating, modifying, and removing lists.
4. LISP notations are referred to as meta-notation or M-notation.
5. LISP's control structures are relatively straightforward.
6. LISP functions are completely defined in the form of expressions.

Disadvantages

1. It takes some time to get accustomed to prefix notation and mountains of parentheses.
2. There are few job prospects for Lisp developers.
3. There isn't anything like a Common Lisp environment.
4. The comparatively small ecosystem puts off many users compared to Java, JavaScript, Python, and C++ syntax.

What is Prolog?

Prolog is a logic computer language that is utilized in artificial intelligence and computational linguistics. It is a member of the logic computer language family. Prolog is a declarative language in which computations are carried out by querying the relations that are specified as rules and facts. Prolog was created in 1970, and it is one of the oldest logic programming languages and one of the most common AI programming languages today (along with Lisp). Although it is a free language, there are numerous commercial variants accessible.

One of the first logic computer languages was Prolog. It aids the users in several tasks, including term rewriting, type systems, theorem proving, expert systems, natural language processing, and automated planning. It also aids in the development of graphical user interfaces (GUI), administrative apps, and networked applications. Furthermore, it is appropriate for rule-based logical inquiries, including template filling, database searching, and voice control systems.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Prolog

There are various advantages and disadvantages of prolog. Some advantages and disadvantages of prolog are as follows:

Advantages

1. It contains a database of data structures in language and human thinking.
2. Its execution is based on the definition of predicates.
3. It supports pattern matching and backtracking.
4. Its rules are created using recursive thinking, which is comparable to an applicative language.
5. It is declarative, compact, rational, interpretive, and modular by definition.
6. It uses simple coding to store and operate data lists.

Disadvantages

1. The "NOT" logical condition is not supported by the prolog computer language. It doesn't support negative statements.
2. It doesn't support graphic capabilities. If you require visuals, you must utilize the turbo prolog.
3. The prologue sequence has an impact on the programming language's efficiency.
4. It is difficult to understand the various algorithms and code for input and output processes.
5. The "OR" logical condition is not supported by the prolog computer language.
6. It is a first-order logic programming language. It doesn't explicitly support second-order logic.

Key differences between LISP and Prolog

Here, you will learn the various key differences between LISP and Prolog. Some main differences between LISP and Prolog are as follows:

1. Lisp is the second-oldest high-level computer language after FORTRAN, and it has evolved significantly since its inception. On the other hand, prolog is a logic computer language related to artificial intelligence and computational linguistics.
2. The Lisp programming language was designed and developed by John McCarthy. On the other hand, the Prolog language was created by Alain Colmerauer and Robert Kowalski.
3. LISP programs include functions, conditional evaluation, recursion, and iteration. On the other hand, Prolog is made up of directed control search, patterns, loops, and backtracking.
4. The LISP program was released in 1958. In contrast, the prolog program was released in 1972.
5. LISP and Prolog datatypes are quite distinct, whereas LISP not using predicates. In contrast, Prolog not using property and association lists.
6. LISP is based on functions in a global environment. In contrast, Prolog is based on rules and facts.
7. In LISP, data transit in program function returns, binding of local and global variables, and parameter passing by value are all supported. On the other hand, Prolog binds the data or numbers with the variable via unification.
8. Prolog supports the logical computing paradigm. In contrast, LISP supports the functional, reflective, procedural, and Meta paradigms.

Head-to-head comparison between the LISP and Prolog

Here, you will learn the head-to-head comparison between LISP and Prolog. Various head-to-head comparisons between LISP and Prolog are as follows:

Conclusion

In summary, LISP and Prolog are common programming languages for developing AI-based applications. The primary distinction between Lisp and Prolog is that LISP is a computer programming language that supports the reflective, functional, algorithmic, and Meta paradigms. In contrast, Prolog is a computer programming language that supports the logic programming paradigm. LISP utilizes mathematical characteristics of functions, which are difficult to program, whereas Prolog utilizes facts, resolution, rules, query, and unification, which are simple and easy to program. Prolog functions similarly to the human brain, employing pattern matching, backtracking, and a hierarchical structure that humans easily understand. On the other hand, LISP is easier for computers to control.