Nonce functions

ABSTRACT

Data, functions, and operators exist in divers current APL systems in primitive, derived, and defined forms. Only data primitives occur in an extended literal form, which can be quite complex. This paper introduces a form of function literal, subsequently extended to include operators. Lexical scope is restricted to the minimum to achieve perspicuousness and syntactic predictability. The short expressions which result form convenient, explicit representations of some common trivial functions. They can indirectly simulate trivial operators. Nonce operators can simulate syntactic entities, which have been called transforms, that produce operators. The trade-offs between extra key strokes and symbol clutter are discussed.

REFERENCES

• APL2: IBM Corporation, APL2 Language ,Ma.nual, Order Sumber: SH20-9227
• BG84: J. D. Bunda , J. A. Gerth, APL two by two-syntax analysis by pairwise reduction, Proceedings of the international conference on APL, p.85-94, June 11-15, 1984, Finland
• BH89: J. A. Brown , B. Hawks, Understanding selective assignment, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.19 n.4, p.62-67, Aug. 1989
• Bk84: J. Philip Benkard, Syntactic experiments with arrays of functions and operators, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.14 n.4, p.41-51, June 1984
• Bk85: J. Philip Benkard, Control of structure and evaluation, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.15 n.4, p.123-133, May 12, 1985
• Bk87: J. Philip Benkard, Replicate each, anyone?, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.17 n.4, p.245-252, May 1987
• Ch90: Edward Cherlin, APL trivia, Conference proceedings on APL 90: for the future, p.71-75, August 13-17, 1990, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Gr89: A. Graham, APLO: a simple modern APL, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.19 n.4, p.178-183, Aug. 1989
• IM89: E. E. McDonnell , K. E. Iverson, Phrasal forms, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.19 n.4, p.197-199, Aug. 1989
• Iv82: Kenneth E. Iverson , Arthur T. Whitney, Practical uses of a model of APL, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.13 n.1, p.140-145, September 1982
• Iv87: Kenneth E. Iverson, A dictionary of APL, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.18 n.1, p.5-40, September 1, 1987 [doi>10.1145/36983.36984]
• lW81: Kenneth E. Iverson , Peter K. Wooster, A function definition operator, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.12 n.1, p.142-145, September 1981
• La86: David J. Landaeta, A notation for manipulating arrays of operations, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.16 n.4, p.21-29, 1986
• La88: D. Landaeta, The theory of function arrays, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.18 n.2, p.223-229, Dec. 1987
• Sm81: Bob Smith, Nested arrays, operators, and functions, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.12 n.1, p.286-290, September 1981

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: APL

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Procedures, functions, and subroutines

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Languages