On 13 April 2011 15:10, Raul Miller <[email protected]> wrote: > For example, the uses of / in > http://www.jsoftware.com/help/dictionary/d300.htm and in > http://www.jsoftware.com/help/dictionary/d430.htm (but those are not > the only pages where the dictionary contains examples of insert.)
These are just uses of /, they cannot serve as its definition. In all more or less formally presented systems (which, I assume, a programming language definition ought to be) these things work in the opposite direction: first establish a definition, then use it in further definitions and applications. > And, it's not clear why we should be allowing specifications for other > languages define J. Where did you find that in my words? > This simulates your proposed alternative definition for -/ > ... > This illustrates what your proposed change would mean ... I have never proposed this. You are putting words in my mouth. Don't. > I see illustrations for the 1=#y case which do not deal with the 0=#y case. Irrelevant statement. >> So, imagine that the DoJ did not explicitly define u/y >> for an empty y, and tell us: what do you think the meaning of u/$0 must be >> then? > > I currently do not know. It's an exceptional case. Who says it is? And how is 0=#y exceptional and 1=#y is not? >> We are discussing how precise the definition of / in J is, and you are >> talking >> of determinants, referring to algebraic concepts that themselves have nothing >> to do with programming, let alone J?! > > Yes, yes, no. (You asked a three part question.) Not sure which exactly are the three parts you are referring to, but using determinants to define a simple looping construct is insane enough to my mind to loose interest in discussing it. > No, you do not need to consider all possible uses. > > However, before your treatment can be considered complete, you must > consider all uses explicitly provided by the dictionary. > And, you should consider other typical uses. Even so it doesn't make sense. As I said at the beginning of this post, this is the reverse to what one actually does. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
