On 2015-06-22 12:12, Rick Barlow wrote:
>
> ... the default stem value ...
>
BTW, the use of the word "default" here invites a conceptual
error and should be avoided. The Rexx Reference carefully
avoids "default" and uses language to the effect that
A. = 'After'
... assigns a value to the compound symbol A. with every
possible tail ...
A reader thinking of "default" might be misled to believe
either that
o "A. = 'After'" assigns only to those members of A. which are
otherwise previously undefined, or that
o After the assignment, "A. = 'After'" any member of A. which is
not otherwise defined will appear to have the value, 'After'.
Both are false. For example:
5 *-* A.B = "Before"
>>> "Before"
6 *-* A. = "After"
>>> "After"
7 *-* drop A.C
8 *-* say symbol( 'A.B' ) value( 'A.B' )
>>> "VAR After" /* Not "VAR Before" */
VAR After
9 *-* say symbol( 'A.C' ) value( 'A.C' )
>>> "LIT A.C" /* not "VAR After" */
LIT A.C
-- gil
