Foxpointe  <foxpointe@comcast.net> wrote:
+---------------
| ...is there a more efficient way to do the following without needing 
| first/second/third/etc:
| (let ((ssparms `("want second item" 5 11)))
|    (subseq (first ssparms) (second ssparms) (third ssparms)))
+---------------

Not sure about "more efficient" [that will depend on the specific
implementation, whether your code's compiled, etc.], but a more
idiomatic [and simpler] way, yes:

    (destructuring-bind (string start end)
	`("want second item" 5 11)
      (subseq string start end))


-Rob

-----
Rob Warnock			<rpw3@rpw3.org>
627 26th Avenue			<URL:http://rpw3.org/>
San Mateo, CA 94403		(650)572-2607