Bob Therriault wrote: > using ("_) ... was unexpected > and enlightening.
Yes, ("_) is neat, as is its "inverse" (reverse? obverse? counterpart), (`'') . Want to see something else fun? OK, first take: av2t2 =: ("_) (`*) (`(-~)) (`:6) then try: 3 av2t2 3"_ * -~ and study the result. Now, let's introduce a little something extra: Nar =: (`(<;~nn)) (<@:;~&(nn=.":noun)`)) av2t4 =: ("_) Nar (`:6) (`*) (`(-~)) (`:6) NB. Nar (`:6) was inserted now try it again and compare the result: 3 av2t4 3 * -~ Puzzle: where did the "_ go? (Yes, it was still used, but for a different purpose :) Sometimes I struggle with the question of whether I want the tacit adverb to be as simple and elegant as possible, as with av2t2, or whether I want its result as simple and elegant as possible (at the cost of some complexity in the adverb) as with av2t4 . I usually decide on the former, since often the product of the adverb goes uninspected (textually). After all, that's the point of having a reusable piece of code, right? -Dan PS: On my Christmas list is a tacit adverb like Nar but more elegant and parsimonious (and, ideally, parameterizable to produce other parts of speech). Anyone feel like Santa? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm