The value of empty should display as empty

[yardsale8]

When you evaluate empty you get '() displayed.

> empty
- (listof 'a)
'()

But '() evaluates to the empty s-expression.

> '()
- s-expression
'()

This causes problems with pasting and interpreting values, especially empty lists of various types.

[mflatt]

I agree that this is awkward, but I don't see a way around it without creating other problems. It's one of the compromises made for the s-expression type, whose values (and therefore printed forms) overlap with those of other types.