JQ> I turns out that an earlier version of the dictionary (J Version 5, 1992) said the following in that location (and probably JQ> was subsequently dropped when most of the tacit support for forming adverbs and conjunctions tacitly was decommissioned), JQ> " JQ> b) An adverb is produced according to the following definitions (using nv to denote noun or verb): JQ> x (a1 a2) is x a1 a2 JQ> x (c nv) is x c nv JQ> x (nv c) is nv c x JQ> "
DB> Now I see Pepe has just posted some very helpful historical context around §II.F for DB> understanding that train specifically, so I won't repeat him. I checked the Iverson’s Dictionary of J (Vector Vol7 No.2, October 1990); the parsing table, as far as I can see, only allowed verbal hooks (and forks). Thus, adverbial and conjunctional hooks (and forks) were introduced between late1990 and 1992. I must say than when most of the adverbial and conjunctional hooks (and forks) were decommissioned I was not particularly concerned because I was (and I still am) using 'apply' (128:!2) for tacit meta-programming; however, knowing what I know now, I wish at least I had argued to keep the (c a) hook. By the way, the same issue of Vector reports: " APL/? has been named 'J'. Apparently even Ken Iverson does not know the reason why that particular name was chosen, although he must have assented to the name. Roger Hui chose it and keeps his reasons secret. " :) DB> PS: BTW, the quotes in your message are coming out weird and messing up the format of DB> your text. Are you using a "smart quote" feature? Outlook, Word, and some web interfaces DB> (using RTF browser toolbars) turn these on by default. I've never found them helpful (but I am a afraid that I was using inadvertently that feature (fortunately it does not look too bad in the archive: http://www.jsoftware.com/pipermail/programming/2009-December/017145.html). I use often use Microsoft Works Word Processor with my EeePC; any hints on how to turn this feature off? ________________________________ From: Dan Bron <[email protected]> JQ=Pepe, DB=me JQ> "A two-element train of a conjunction with a noun or a verb produces an adverb..." JQ> is located in Dictionary/Dictionary/II. Grammar/F. Trains. DB> Yep, and its public URL is at [1]. Whoops, forgot the URL: http://www.jsoftware.com/help/dictionary/dictf.htm JQ> I did not mean very detailed in a pejorative sense DB> at no time was I offended. I just realized that this message caused the very problem it attempted to allay, because I wasn't clear that I was writing for a broader audience and not specifically you! How strangely recursive. -Dan ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
