Right. The question is whether "." alone is a letter or an inflexion. If the
former, then it is a word in addition to a letter (cf +), but if so why is ++
two words but +. one word? If the latter (an inflexion), then what is it
inflecting?
We can answer that question by saying "it is inflecting a (possibly implied)
space character". In §1, Alphabet and Words [1], we read:
The alphabet is standard ASCII,
comprising digits, letters (of the
English alphabet), the underline
(used in names and numbers),
the (single) quote, and others
(which include the space) to be
referred to as graphics.
and
A primitive or primary may be.
denoted by a single graphic
(such as + for plus) or by a
graphic modified by one or
more following inflections (a
period or colon)
So space is (explicitly) a graphic, and primitive is an inflected graphic.
Hence an inflected space is a primitive.
The parenthetical "(possibly implied)" only applies when the inflexion is
literally the first character in a sentence. This is rare, given their nature.
It is also required because the interpreter produces eg (<,'.')-:;:' .' and
accepts eg (;:'.')`:6 .
Of course, if we follow this path, we must also accept the uninflected space as
a primitive, which is unacceptable (and causes several other problems).
-Dan
[1] http://www.jsoftware.com/help/dictionary/dict1.htm
Please excuse typos; composed on a handheld device.
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Guinn <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:59:02
To: Programming forum<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Jprogramming] The role of the . in J words
There are several primitives where . is not a full stop. There is p.. .. &.:
and .:
On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 4:34 PM, Dan Bron <[email protected]> wrote:
> It is better to think of "." and ":" as " ." and " :" respectively, and
> that the interpreter is sometimes liberal (forgives you when you forget the
> leading space in certain circumstances).
>
> The DoJ explictly says that space is considered a graphic or grapheme for
> the purposes of spelling, and in the overwhelming number of cases in real J
> programming, the leading
> space is required.
>
> Or we can drop the "inflexion" nomenclature and accord . full status as a
> letter, and consequently treat. . alone like a (single-lettered) word, just
> like + .
> But then how can I say ++ is 2 words, but .. is 1? Or that +. Is 1
> word but .+ is 2?
>
> Maybe . and : don't fit cleanly into any category. Are there any
> languages where a diacritic mostly inflects a ketter, but sometimes is a
> letter unto itself? If so, is there a (n English) linguistic term for such
> beasts?
>
> -Dan
>
>
>
> Please excuse typos; composed on a handheld device.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Oleg Kobchenko <[email protected]>
> Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:13:24
> To: Programming forum<[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: [Jprogramming] The role of the . in J words
>
> I concur, a *trailing* combination of "." and ":" are part of the Token:
>
> &. &: &.: for. for_varname. etc
>
> In the leading position they play a role of a regular symbol (such as + -
> etc).
>
>
>
>
> > From: Markus Schmidt-Gröttrup <[email protected]>
> >
> > The dictionary shows how the fullstop character (.) is used under
> > Spelling. So B is the answer.
> >
> > Markus
> >
> >
> >
> > Sherlock, Ric schrieb:
> > > I am working with the maintainer of GeSHi (syntax highlighter used on
> Rosetta
> > Code) to improve support for J.
> > >
> > > As part of that process I'm seeking clarification of the role of the
> fullstop
> > character (.) as it appears in J words, eg: (do.) (for.) (p.) (p..) (*.)
> (.)
> > (.:) (..)
> > >
> > > Is the fullstop
> > > A) a symbol to control language flow,
> > > B) an integral part of the word,
> > > C) some other better description?
> > >
> > > Or slightly differently:
> > > Is the fullstop
> > > A) syntax/punctuation,
> > > B) spelling,
> > > C) sometimes one, sometimes the other?
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
> > >
> > >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Prof. Dr. M. Schmidt-Gröttrup
> > Hochschule Ulm,
> > Fakultät Grundlagen
> > Prittwitzstr. 10, 89075 Ulm
> > E-Mail: [email protected]
> > Tel: +49 (0) 731 50 28036
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
>
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