Roger wrote: > We are talking about the rules for numeric vector constants
It would be helpful if these rules were spelled out. The rules for an individual numeric constant are spelled out explicitly at http://www.jsoftware.com/help/dictionary/dcons.htm . However, the interpretation of those rules changes depending on the larger vector in which the individual constant is embedded. This can be amusing [1], or confusing, as in this thread. It doesn't bother me personally, per se; my interest in seeing the rules spelled out is so I can create a J model of J's numeric constant interpreter (part of my ongoing project to reimplement J in J). Right now, I could write the interpreter according to Constants, such that: numeric '1x1 1p1 16bcdef' (1 * ^1), (1 * o.1), (16 #. '0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz' i. 'cdef') but since the interpretation changes with context in an unspecified manner, the emulation wouldn't be faithful, which thwarts my purpose. -Dan [1] http://www.jsoftware.com/pipermail/programming/2006-July/002615.html PS: There is a bit more information available on J's numeric constants, for those who're interested: http://www.jsoftware.com/jwiki/Guides/Constants and some observations I wrote up a while back: http://www.jsoftware.com/pipermail/general/2006-June/027263.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
