Operand: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
Miraheze>Adám Brudzewsky No edit summary |
Miraheze>Adám Brudzewsky No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
In [[ | In [[APL syntax]], an '''operand''' is one of the values used by an [[operator]] to form a [[derived function]]. Operands are distinguished from [[argument]]s, the values accepted by the derived function or other [[function]]s. Operators are divided into [[monadic operator|monadic]] and [[dyadic operator]]s depending on how many arguments they take; like [[niladic]] versus non-niladic functions the [[operator valence|valence]] is inherent in the operator rather than determined by context. Operator valence is thus substantially different from [[function valence]] as [[monadic]] and [[dyadic]] functions are distinguished by context. | ||
In [[APL\360]] and many later APLs, only functions were allowed as operands. Modern APLs tend to allow array operands for operators such as [[Power operator|Power]] and [[Rank operator|Rank]]. While there is no syntactic consideration that prevents this, it can cause frustration while programming due to [[strand notation]]. If operators only take function operands and functions only take array arguments, then it is impossible for two arrays to appear next to each other in an APL sentence and thus this syntax can be repurposed for stranding. With array operands this is no longer the case, and stranding conflicts with operator application. Some APLs resolve this conflict by stranding before operator application while others apply operators before stranding. | In [[APL\360]] and many later APLs, only functions were allowed as operands. Modern APLs tend to allow array operands for operators such as [[Power operator|Power]] and [[Rank operator|Rank]]. While there is no syntactic consideration that prevents this, it can cause frustration while programming due to [[strand notation]]. If operators only take function operands and functions only take array arguments, then it is impossible for two arrays to appear next to each other in an APL sentence and thus this syntax can be repurposed for stranding. With array operands this is no longer the case, and stranding conflicts with operator application. Some APLs resolve this conflict by stranding before operator application while others apply operators before stranding. | ||
{{APL programming language}} | {{APL programming language}} | ||