Discovering APL: Difference between revisions
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→A Shocking Brevity
Miraheze>Adám Brudzewsky |
Miraheze>Adám Brudzewsky |
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== A Shocking Brevity == | == A Shocking Brevity == | ||
APL (A Programming Language) takes its name from [[A Programming Language|the eponymous book]] in which [[Ken Iverson]], then teaching mathematics at Harvard, introduced his revised notation for linear algebra. From Harvard he became an IBM Fellow. At IBM, ‘[[Iverson notation]]’ became A Programming Language, distinguished by a shocking brevity. | APL (A Programming Language) takes its name from [[A Programming Language|the eponymous book]] in which [[Ken Iverson]], then teaching mathematics at Harvard, introduced his revised notation for linear algebra. From Harvard he became an IBM Fellow. At IBM, ‘[[Iverson notation]]’ became [[A Programming Language]], distinguished by a shocking brevity. | ||
This brevity originates in | This brevity originates in | ||
* applying functions to arrays of values, abstracting away the work of controlling loops and counters; | * applying functions to arrays of values, abstracting away the work of controlling loops and counters; | ||
* single-character | * single-character [[glyph]]s used to represent primitive functions; | ||
* weak data-typing, so that a small number of powerful primitive functions generalise over many kinds of data. | * weak data-typing, so that a small number of powerful primitive functions generalise over many kinds of data. | ||
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=== Unusual Symbols === | === Unusual Symbols === | ||
The single-character APL | The single-character APL glyphs have frequently been cited as evidence of APL being unintelligible, or “a write-only language”. This can also be said of any unfamiliar language (do [[Wikipedia:Regular expression|Regular expression]]s attract similar comment?) | ||
The glyphs are largely unnecessary and can easily be replaced by reserved words. This can be helpful for a novice who wishes to separate learning syntax and semantics from mastering a keyboard mapping. However most writers prefer the ‘power shorthand’. For example: | The glyphs are largely unnecessary and can easily be replaced by reserved words. This can be helpful for a novice who wishes to separate learning syntax and semantics from mastering a keyboard mapping. However most writers prefer the ‘power shorthand’. For example: | ||