Array notation: Difference between revisions
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'''Array notation''' is a way to write most [[array]]s literally, with no or minimal use of [[primitive function]]s, possibly over multiple code lines. It differs from the [[strand notation]] existing since [[APL\360]] in that it can be used to write arrays of rank greater than one. Array notation is supported in [[dzaima/APL]] and [[BQN]], and by some tools for [[Dyalog APL]], where it is planned as an eventual language feature. | |||
'''Array notation''' is a way to write most [[array]]s literally, with no or minimal use of [[primitive function]]s, possibly over multiple code lines. | |||
Array notation generally consists of a list notation written with parentheses <source lang=apl inline>()</source>, roughly equivalent to stranding, and a high-rank notation using square brackets <source lang=apl inline>[]</source>, indicating the [[Mix]] of a list. It may also support [[namespace]]s, with dzaima/APL and Dyalog using <source lang=apl inline>name:value</source> syntax in parentheses for this. In each case, elements are separated by [[statement separator]]s such as <source lang=apl inline>⋄</source> or line breaks. | |||
== Examples == | |||
Medium-sized array constants are often needed in code. Due to the lack of a native multi-line notation, programmers have resorted to various ad-hoc methods of approximating such, usually at the cost of reduced [[readability]]. A very common technique is repeated [[concatenate|concatenation]]: | Medium-sized array constants are often needed in code. Due to the lack of a native multi-line notation, programmers have resorted to various ad-hoc methods of approximating such, usually at the cost of reduced [[readability]]. A very common technique is repeated [[concatenate|concatenation]]: | ||
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poss⍪← 'lnd' ((0 0)(0 0)(0 0)×size) | poss⍪← 'lnd' ((0 0)(0 0)(0 0)×size) | ||
</source> | </source> | ||
Array notation allows this multi-line construction to be made with a single assignment, and also provides an alternate syntax for the inner vectors of vectors: | |||
<source lang=apl> | <source lang=apl> | ||
poss←['fns' ((0 1 ⋄ 0.7 0 ⋄ 0.7 0)×size) | poss←['fns' ((0 1 ⋄ 0.7 0 ⋄ 0.7 0)×size) | ||
| Line 23: | Line 19: | ||
'lnd' ((0 0 ⋄ 0 0 ⋄ 0 0)×size)] | 'lnd' ((0 0 ⋄ 0 0 ⋄ 0 0)×size)] | ||
</source> | </source> | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
The notation is added to the language by giving meaning to previously invalid statements. The added syntax consists of three constructs that are currently [[SYNTAX ERROR]]s: | The notation is added to the language by giving meaning to previously invalid statements. The added syntax consists of three constructs that are currently [[SYNTAX ERROR]]s: | ||
| Line 37: | Line 34: | ||
* <source lang=apl inline>()</source> is equivalent to <source lang=apl inline>(⎕NS 0⍴⊂'')</source> | * <source lang=apl inline>()</source> is equivalent to <source lang=apl inline>(⎕NS 0⍴⊂'')</source> | ||
* A ''name-value pair'' consist of a valid APL identifier, followed by a <source lang=apl inline>:</source> and a value expression. | * A ''name-value pair'' consist of a valid APL identifier, followed by a <source lang=apl inline>:</source> and a value expression. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
:''See also [[Array notation in Dyalog APL]]'' | |||
[[ | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
{{APL syntax}}[[Category:APL syntax]][[Category:Nested array model]] | {{APL syntax}}[[Category:APL syntax]][[Category:Nested array model]] | ||
Revision as of 02:10, 19 August 2022
Array notation is a way to write most arrays literally, with no or minimal use of primitive functions, possibly over multiple code lines. It differs from the strand notation existing since APL\360 in that it can be used to write arrays of rank greater than one. Array notation is supported in dzaima/APL and BQN, and by some tools for Dyalog APL, where it is planned as an eventual language feature.
Array notation generally consists of a list notation written with parentheses (), roughly equivalent to stranding, and a high-rank notation using square brackets [], indicating the Mix of a list. It may also support namespaces, with dzaima/APL and Dyalog using name:value syntax in parentheses for this. In each case, elements are separated by statement separators such as ⋄ or line breaks.
Examples
Medium-sized array constants are often needed in code. Due to the lack of a native multi-line notation, programmers have resorted to various ad-hoc methods of approximating such, usually at the cost of reduced readability. A very common technique is repeated concatenation:
poss←1 2⍴'fns' ((0 1)(0.7 0)(0.7 0)×size) poss⍪← 'fnd' ((0 1)(0 0)(0 0)×size) poss⍪← 'lines'((0 0)(0.7 0)(0.7 0)×size) poss⍪← 'lnd' ((0 0)(0 0)(0 0)×size)
Array notation allows this multi-line construction to be made with a single assignment, and also provides an alternate syntax for the inner vectors of vectors:
poss←['fns' ((0 1 ⋄ 0.7 0 ⋄ 0.7 0)×size)
'fnd' ((0 1 ⋄ 0 0 ⋄ 0 0)×size)
'lines'((0 0 ⋄ 0.7 0 ⋄ 0.7 0)×size)
'lnd' ((0 0 ⋄ 0 0 ⋄ 0 0)×size)]
Description
The notation is added to the language by giving meaning to previously invalid statements. The added syntax consists of three constructs that are currently SYNTAX ERRORs:
- broken round parentheses
- broken square brackets
- empty round parentheses:
()
where broken means interrupted by one or more diamonds (⋄) or line breaks (outside of dfns).
- A broken round parenthesis creates a namespace if every diamond/line break-separated statement is a name-value pair.
- A broken round parenthesis creates a vector if every diamond/line break-separated statement is a value expression. In that case, every such statement forms an element in the resulting vector.
- A broken square bracket creates a an array where every diamond/line break-separated statement forms a major cell in the resulting array.
()is equivalent to(⎕NS 0⍴⊂'')- A name-value pair consist of a valid APL identifier, followed by a
:and a value expression.
History
- See also Array notation in Dyalog APL
References