On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 9:27 AM, Boyko Bantchev <[email protected]> wrote: > 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.
They can, however, serve as part of its definition. Specifically, they can help weed out invalid interpretations of the dictionary. > 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. This sounds good, but it conflicts with my understanding of the structure of mathematics. (Or, at least, I was not taught the Peano Postulates in first grade. But maybe things have changed, since then? Anyways, it's my experience that mathematical definitions do not make sense to someone who has not been exposed to examples.) In other words, many of these definitions are intertwined and until you have some understanding of each you cannot have a complete mastery of any. Or, from the viewpoint of the author of a reference work: you have to have a certain level of understanding from your readers. >> And, it's not clear why we should be allowing specifications for other >> languages define J. > > Where did you find that in my words? I got it from your "shoulds". >> 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. It's either that or you have been proposing no alternatives at all. And, when there is one viable interpretation with no valid alternatives there is no ambiguity. (Note: I am not saying that the dictionary is perfect. However, I do assert that: 0 1 and +/i.1 2 give different results, that that means you have a version of J which conflicts with dictionary's specification.) -- Raul ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
