In the debate between powerful programming languages and safe programming languages, it’s important to note that safety and power are not always opposing characteristics. The historical notion that power tools in programming, such as macros and manual memory management, are inherently unsafe has led to a persistent misconception. However, with advancements in programming language research, expressive languages like Haskell and Racket showcase how power and safety can coincide. For example, Racket’s macro system combines the power of Lisp-like procedural macros with the safety of Scheme-like hygienic macros. By prioritizing safety, languages can become more reliable and trustworthy, ultimately leading to more capable and robust software systems.
https://lambdaland.org/posts/2024-11-21_powerful_or_safe_languages/