Extending structure, type, and expression in APL2

ABSTRACT

The two principal directions of APL today are discussed in the light of recent standards committee meetings. The approach often taken to an extended standard was to place features of both dialects into a work space and force them to work; this might be called a top down approach with hammer. Herein APL2, considered as a representative of nested array systems, is assumed as a base. A growth path is described toward a system which includes features similar to some found in boxed array systems. A parallel discussion beginning with a boxed system and extending toward nested arrays would be welcome. Perhaps working toward a common goal could provide more inspiration than striving to preserve pieces of the past.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

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

          Nouns: APL

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Data types and structures

  E. Data
  E.1 DATA STRUCTURES
      Subjects: Arrays

General Terms:
Languages, Standardization, Theory