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Tacit | '''Tacit programming''', also called '''[[wikipedia:Tacit_programming|point-free style]]''', refers to usage of tacit [[function]]s that are defined in terms of implicit [[argument]]s. This is in contrast to the explicit use of arguments in [[dfn]]s (<source inline lang=apl>⍺ ⍵</source>) and [[tradfn]]s (which have named arguments). Some APL dialects allow to combine functions into [[#trains|trains]] following a small set of rules. This allows creating complex [[derived function]]s without specifying any arguments explicitly. | ||
Dialects which implement trains include [[Dyalog APL]], [[dzaima/APL]], [[ngn/apl]] and [[NARS2000]]. | |||
== Primitives == | == Primitives == | ||
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A train is a series of functions in isolation. An isolated function is either surrounded by parentheses or named. Below, <source lang=apl inline>⍺</source> and <source lang=apl inline>⍵</source> refer to the arguments of the train. <source lang=apl inline>f</source>, <source lang=apl inline>g</source>, and <source lang=apl inline>h</source> are functions (which themselves can be tacit or not), and <source lang=apl inline>A</source> is an array. The arguments are processed by the following rules: | A train is a series of functions in isolation. An isolated function is either surrounded by parentheses or named. Below, <source lang=apl inline>⍺</source> and <source lang=apl inline>⍵</source> refer to the arguments of the train. <source lang=apl inline>f</source>, <source lang=apl inline>g</source>, and <source lang=apl inline>h</source> are functions (which themselves can be tacit or not), and <source lang=apl inline>A</source> is an array. The arguments are processed by the following rules: | ||
=== | === 3-trains === | ||
A 3-train is a ''fork'': | A 3-train is a ''fork'', so denoted because its structure resembles a three-tines fork, or a three-pronged pitchfork. The two outer functions are applied first, and their results are used as arguments to the middle function: | ||
{| | {| | ||
|<source lang=apl> (f g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>( f ⍵) g ( h ⍵)</source> | |<source lang=apl> (f g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>( f ⍵) g ( h ⍵)</source> | ||
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The ''left tine'' of a fork can be an array: | The ''left tine'' of a fork can be an array: | ||
{| | {| | ||
|<source lang=apl> (A g h)</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>A g ( h ⍵)</source> | |<source lang=apl> (A g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>A g ( h ⍵)</source> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|<source lang=apl>⍺ (A g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>A g (⍺ h ⍵)</source> | |<source lang=apl>⍺ (A g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>A g (⍺ h ⍵)</source> | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== | === 2-trains === | ||
Most dialects define a 2-train is an ''atop'', equivalent to the function derived using the [[Atop (operator)|Atop]] operator. The left function is applied [[monadic function|monadically]] on the result of the right function: | |||
{| | {| | ||
|<source lang=apl> (g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>g ( h ⍵)</source> | |<source lang=apl> (g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>g ( h ⍵)</source> | ||
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Only [[dzaima/APL]] allows <source lang=apl inline>(A h)</source>, which it treats as <source lang=apl inline>A∘h</source>.<ref>dzaima/APL: [https://github.com/dzaima/APL/blob/ceea05e25687988ed0980a4abf4b9249b736543f/docs/differences.txt#L19 Differences from Dyalog APL]. Retrieved 09 Jan 2020.</ref> See [[Bind]]. | Only [[dzaima/APL]] allows <source lang=apl inline>(A h)</source>, which it treats as <source lang=apl inline>A∘h</source>.<ref>dzaima/APL: [https://github.com/dzaima/APL/blob/ceea05e25687988ed0980a4abf4b9249b736543f/docs/differences.txt#L19 Differences from Dyalog APL]. Retrieved 09 Jan 2020.</ref> See [[Bind]]. | ||
[[J]] instead defines the 2-train as a [[hook]], equivalent to the function derived using the [[Withe]] operator. The left function is always applied [[dyadic function|dyadically]], taking as right argument, the result of applying the right function on the right argument. If there is no left argument, the sole argument is used also as left argument: | |||
{| | |||
|<source lang=apl> (g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>⍵ g (h ⍵)</source> | |||
|- | |||
|<source lang=apl>⍺ (g h) ⍵</source>|| {{←→}} ||<source lang=apl>⍺ g (h ⍵)</source> | |||
|} | |||
== Debugging == | == Debugging == | ||
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666 ⍝ ⍎ executes original Accursed train | 666 ⍝ ⍎ executes original Accursed train | ||
</source> | </source> | ||
== See also == | |||
* [[Function composition]] | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
=== Tutorials === | === Tutorials === | ||
* Dyalog: [https://help.dyalog.com/16.0/Content/RelNotes14.0/Function%20Trains.htm version 14.0 release notes] | * [[Learning APL]]: [https://xpqz.github.io/learnapl/tacit.html Trainspotting] | ||
* [[Documentation_suites#Dyalog_APL|Dyalog documentation]]: [https://help.dyalog.com/16.0/Content/RelNotes14.0/Function%20Trains.htm version 14.0 release notes] | |||
* [[Dfns workspace]]: [https://dfns.dyalog.com/n_tacit.htm Translation of <nowiki>[dfns]</nowiki> into tacit form] | |||
* [[APL Cultivation]]: [https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/52405/conversation/lesson-23-transcribing-to-and-reading-trains Transcribing to and reading trains] | * [[APL Cultivation]]: [https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/52405/conversation/lesson-23-transcribing-to-and-reading-trains Transcribing to and reading trains] | ||
* [[APLtrainer]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt4lMZbn-so How to read trains in Dyalog APL code] (video) | * [[APLtrainer]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt4lMZbn-so How to read trains in Dyalog APL code] (video) | ||