On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 1:28 AM, Alan Stebbens <[email protected]> wrote:
> Given those discussions, even though it seems counter-intuitive, I stand
> corrected.
>
> A scalar (aka element) is a zero-rank array.
> A vector (aka list) is a one-rank array.
> A matrix (aka table aka "array") is a two-rank array.
I think you should be careful here.
The google search:
site:jsoftware.com "list of items"
finds me 47 pages. In other words, in some contexts, a list is an
n-dimensional array (an item, after all, is an array one dimension
fewer than the argument).
> J is hard enough as it is, but "array" having the everyday meaning
> alongside the APL/J meaning (Array) is really quite confusing to explain.
Everyday meanings are inherently ambiguous. This means that everyone
you are trying to explain to is used to dealing with ambiguity. A
trap we need to avoid failing into is the belief that the underlying
words are not meant to be ambiguous. If we attempt that, we confuse
people.
--
Raul
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