Learning resources: Difference between revisions

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Some of the best resources for somebody new to APL and programming in general are:
Some of the best resources for somebody new to APL and programming in general are:
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* APL Wiki's [[simple examples]]
* APL Wiki's [[simple examples]]
* The [https://tryapl.org/?tab=3 Learn tab on TryAPL]
* The [https://tryapl.org/?tab=3 Learn tab on TryAPL]
* The book [https://www.dyalog.com/mastering-dyalog-apl.htm Mastering Dyalog APL] by Bernard Legrand
* The book [[Mastering Dyalog APL]] by Bernard Legrand
* [http://www.microapl.com/apl/learn_apl.html Learning APL with APLX] (also [http://www.microapl.com/apl/LearningAPLwithAPLX.pdf as PDF])
* [http://www.microapl.com/apl/learn_apl.html Learning APL with APLX] (also [http://www.microapl.com/apl/LearningAPLwithAPLX.pdf as PDF])
* The [https://tutorial.dyalog.com Zark APL Tutor]
* The [https://tutorial.dyalog.com Zark APL Tutor]
* APL a Day: [https://www.sacrideo.us/apl-a-day-0-introduction/ Introduction], [https://www.sacrideo.us/apl-a-day-1-functions/ Functions], [https://www.sacrideo.us/apl-a-day-2-arrays-values/ Arrays, Values], [https://www.sacrideo.us/apl-a-day-3-arrays-have-shape/ Arrays have Shape]
* APL a Day: [https://www.sacrideo.us/apl-a-day-0-introduction/ Introduction], [https://www.sacrideo.us/apl-a-day-1-functions/ Functions], [https://www.sacrideo.us/apl-a-day-2-arrays-values/ Arrays, Values], [https://www.sacrideo.us/apl-a-day-3-arrays-have-shape/ Arrays have Shape]
* [http://robertson.uk.net/Files/APL1&2.pdf A Practical Introduction to APL 1 & 2] (3 & 4 is [[#For novice APLers|for experts]])
* [http://robertson.uk.net/Files/APL1&2.pdf A Practical Introduction to APL 1 & 2] (3 & 4 is [[#For novice APLers|for experts]])
* Découvrez le langage APL : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxq1BUUXobM part 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-E7BsMg_Qc part 2], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csx2Z-GEGPw part 3] by Eric Schrafstetter (in French)
* Découvrez le langage APL: parts [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxq1BUUXobM 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-E7BsMg_Qc 2], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csx2Z-GEGPw 3] by Eric Schrafstetter (in French)
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Follow one or a couple of these tutorials through and play around a bit. To learn APL the advice is similar to that for learning other languages: have a goal (something you want to accomplish) and try to do it. Along the way you are sure to come across the pitfalls and gotchas of the language, and with time you may come to understand what APL thinking means.
Follow one or a couple of these tutorials through and play around a bit. To learn APL the advice is similar to that for learning other languages: have a goal (something you want to accomplish) and try to do it. Along the way you are sure to come across the pitfalls and gotchas of the language, and with time you may come to understand what APL thinking means.


== For non-APL programmers ==
== For programmers unfamiliar with APL ==


This is a list of tutorials and other resources of interest to someone who knows about programming or is familiar with another programming language, but wants to learn more about APL.
This is a list of tutorials and other resources of interest to someone who knows about programming or is familiar with another programming language, but wants to learn more about APL.
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* [[APL Cultivation]] (chat lessons)
* [[APL Cultivation]] (chat lessons)
* [https://tryapl.org TryAPL online interpreter with lessons]
* [https://tryapl.org TryAPL online interpreter with lessons]
* [https://rikedyp.github.io/APLWorkshop APL Workshop]
* [https://github.com/nooodl/learnxinyminutes-docs/blob/master/apl.apl Learn X in Y minutes]
* [https://github.com/nooodl/learnxinyminutes-docs/blob/master/apl.apl Learn X in Y minutes]
* [https://codeburst.io/lets-learn-a-programming-language-5f374e4abae5 Let's Learn A Programming Language]
* [https://codeburst.io/lets-learn-a-programming-language-5f374e4abae5 Let's Learn A Programming Language]
* [https://www.dyalog.com/mastering-dyalog-apl.htm Mastering Dyalog APL] and its companion [https://github.com/mhaupt/mastering_dyalog_apl GitHub repository]
* The [[Mastering Dyalog APL]] book
* [https://tutorial.dyalog.com/ Zark tutorial]
* [https://tutorial.dyalog.com/ Zark tutorial]
* [https://github.com/vendethiel/trying.apl Trying APL]
* [https://github.com/vendethiel/trying.apl Trying APL]
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* [https://www.dyalog.com/2017-code-golf-challenge.htm 2017 Code Golf Challenge]: Find the shortest possible APL expression that evaluates 1…52 without using any number or character literals.
* [https://www.dyalog.com/2017-code-golf-challenge.htm 2017 Code Golf Challenge]: Find the shortest possible APL expression that evaluates 1…52 without using any number or character literals.


* [https://www.dyalog.com/student-competition.htm Previous years' problems] from the [[APL Problem Solving Competition]].
* [https://www.dyalog.com/student-competition.htm Previous years' problems] from the [[APL Problem Solving Competition]]. Phase I problems are [https://problems.tryapl.org available with automated testing].


* [[APL-eusis]]: A game for honing your ability to "think in APL".
* [[APL-eusis]]: A game for honing your ability to "think in APL".
== For old APLers ==
In the last decade, several implementations have extended APL:
* New primitive functions: <source lang=apl inline>⊢</source> [[Identity|Same]], [[Right_identity|Right]]; <source lang=apl inline>⊣</source> [[Identity|Same]], [[Left_identity|Left]]; <source lang=apl inline>⌷</source> [[Materialise]], [[Squad indexing|Index]]; <source lang=apl inline>≡</source> [[Depth]], [[Match]]; <source lang=apl inline>≢</source> [[Tally]], [[Not Match]]; <source lang=apl inline>⍸</source> [[Where]], [[Interval Index]]; <source lang=apl inline>⊆</source> [[Nest]], [[Partition]]
* New primitive operators: <source lang=apl inline>∘</source> [[Bind]], [[Beside]]; <source lang=apl inline>⍤</source> [[Rank operator|Rank]]; <source lang=apl inline>⌸</source> [[Key]]; <source lang=apl inline>⌺</source> [[Stencil]]; <source lang=apl inline>⍠</source> [[Variant]]
* Lambdas ([[dfns]]): [https://help.dyalog.com/16.0/Content/Language/Defined%20Functions%20and%20Operators/DynamicFunctions/Dynamic%20Functions%20and%20Operators.htm Intro]; [https://help.dyalog.com/latest/Content/Language/Defined%20Functions%20and%20Operators/DynamicFunctions/MultiLine%20Dynamic%20Functions.htm Details]; [https://help.dyalog.com/latest/Content/Language/Defined%20Functions%20and%20Operators/DynamicFunctions/Dynamic%20Operators.htm Operators]; [https://dfns.dyalog.com/n_contents.htm The dfns workspace] (collection of categorized utilities with extensive comments and notes)
* [[Tacit programming]]: [[Dyalog APL]] documentation: [https://help.dyalog.com/16.0/Content/RelNotes14.0/Function%20Trains.htm Intro]; [https://help.dyalog.com/latest/Content/Language/Introduction/Trains.htm Details]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt4lMZbn-so short video]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2LqqBosvY0 long video]; [https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/52405/conversation/lesson-23-transcribing-to-and-reading-trains APL Cultivation lesson]
* Other features: [[Keyword]]s; [[Object-oriented programming]]


== For advanced APLers ==
== For advanced APLers ==
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* [[WPF XAML Demo]]
* [[WPF XAML Demo]]
== Haven't used APL in a while? ==
Those who learned APL "in the early days" should note that several implementations have made significant extensions to the language and system in the last decade or two.
* New primitive functions: <source lang=apl inline>⊢</source> [[Identity|Same]], [[Right_identity|Right]]; <source lang=apl inline>⊣</source> [[Identity|Same]], [[Left_identity|Left]]; <source lang=apl inline>⌷</source> [[Materialise]], [[Squad indexing|Index]]; <source lang=apl inline>≡</source> [[Depth]], [[Match]]; <source lang=apl inline>≢</source> [[Tally]], [[Not Match]]; <source lang=apl inline>⍸</source> [[Where]], [[Interval Index]]; <source lang=apl inline>⊆</source> [[Nest]], [[Partition]]
* New primitive operators: <source lang=apl inline>∘</source> [[Bind]], [[Beside]]; <source lang=apl inline>⍤</source> [[Rank operator|Rank]]; <source lang=apl inline>⌸</source> [[Key]]; <source lang=apl inline>⌺</source> [[Stencil]]; <source lang=apl inline>⍠</source> [[Variant]]
* Lambdas ([[dfns]]): [https://help.dyalog.com/16.0/Content/Language/Defined%20Functions%20and%20Operators/DynamicFunctions/Dynamic%20Functions%20and%20Operators.htm Intro]; [https://help.dyalog.com/latest/Content/Language/Defined%20Functions%20and%20Operators/DynamicFunctions/MultiLine%20Dynamic%20Functions.htm Details]; [https://help.dyalog.com/latest/Content/Language/Defined%20Functions%20and%20Operators/DynamicFunctions/Dynamic%20Operators.htm Operators]; [https://dfns.dyalog.com/n_contents.htm The dfns workspace] (collection of categorized utilities with extensive comments and notes)
* [[Tacit programming]]: [[Dyalog APL]] documentation: [https://help.dyalog.com/16.0/Content/RelNotes14.0/Function%20Trains.htm Intro]; [https://help.dyalog.com/latest/Content/Language/Introduction/Trains.htm Details]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt4lMZbn-so short video]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2LqqBosvY0 long video]; [https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/52405/conversation/lesson-23-transcribing-to-and-reading-trains APL Cultivation lesson]
* Other features: [[Keyword]]s; [[Object-oriented programming]];[[namespace]]s


{{APL development}}
{{APL development}}

Revision as of 05:51, 22 November 2020

"I have long been struck by the contrast between the success with which the adventurous learn APL by simply using it, and the frequent failure of lecture courses to communicate the simplicity and applicability of the language."

Ken Iverson. A Working Introduction to APL, 1981.

To facilitate self-study, the resources here are classified by target audience. However, if you get stuck, don't hesitate to request help in the APL Orchard chat room or ask a question on Stack Exchange.

For non-programmers

Some of the best resources for somebody new to APL and programming in general are:

Follow one or a couple of these tutorials through and play around a bit. To learn APL the advice is similar to that for learning other languages: have a goal (something you want to accomplish) and try to do it. Along the way you are sure to come across the pitfalls and gotchas of the language, and with time you may come to understand what APL thinking means.

For programmers unfamiliar with APL

This is a list of tutorials and other resources of interest to someone who knows about programming or is familiar with another programming language, but wants to learn more about APL.

For novice APLers

If you already have a fair grasp of APL's primitive functions and operators, you can sharpen your skills by challenging yourself with these:

  • APLcart Quiz: Be challenged to write a function for a given task or to explain what a given function does. (Based on APLcart data.)
  • APL Crosswords: 1 4 5 — Fill in expressions and snippets to fulfil all the clues.
  • 2016 Year Game: Find APL expressions involving exactly the digits 2 0 1 6 in that order to equal the numbers 0 to 100.
  • 2017 Code Golf Challenge: Find the shortest possible APL expression that evaluates 1…52 without using any number or character literals.
  • APL-eusis: A game for honing your ability to "think in APL".

For advanced APLers

Here is a list of "how-to"s on various subjects:

Haven't used APL in a while?

Those who learned APL "in the early days" should note that several implementations have made significant extensions to the language and system in the last decade or two.


APL development [edit]
Interface SessionTyping glyphs (on Linux) ∙ FontsText editors
Publications IntroductionsLearning resourcesSimple examplesAdvanced examplesMnemonicsISO 8485:1989ISO/IEC 13751:2001A Dictionary of APLCase studiesDocumentation suitesBooksPapersVideosAPL Quote QuadVector journalTerminology (Chinese, German) ∙ Neural networksError trapping with Dyalog APL (in forms)
Sharing code Backwards compatibilityAPLcartAPLTreeAPL-CationDfns workspaceTatinCider
Implementation ResourcesOpen-sourceMagic functionPerformanceAPL hardware
Developers Timeline of corporationsAPL2000DyalogIBMIPSASTSC