Essays/Name Resolution

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Names are resolved as follows:

a. There is a global symbol table for each locale. A global symbol table can be switched as an effect of 18!:4 or of executing a locative.

b. There is a local symbol table for each execution of an explicit definition.

c. A locative is sought in the current global symbol table and then in the search path (18!:2) for that table.

d. A non-locative is sought first in the local symbol table and then in the global symbol table.

e. Assignment to a non-locative using =. within an explicit definition is local. All other assignments are global. Global assignment to a local name is not permitted.

f. An undefined name is assumed to be a verb.

g. A name may not change its class (noun/verb/adverb/conjunction) within a context of 4 words, the magic number 4 being significant as the number of words in the execution context of the parser stack. Roughly speaking, changing the class of a name and then using that name all on the same line should be avoided.

The following examples were executed in a new session:

   c ] ". 'c=:1'
|domain error: c
|       c]".'c=:1'

The leftmost c is undefined and is treated as verb. Once the 4 words are on the parser stack ". is executed and c is assigned to be 1, a noun. A domain error is then signalled when c 1 is executed and c is found to have changed its class.

Compare with the following:

   d=: +:
   d ] ". 'd=:1'
|domain error: d
|       d]".'d=:1'

   e ] ] ". 'e=:1'
1



Commentary

You can use @SIG@ to sign your comments and questions.

  • If you think that there is some behavior that can not be explained by the rules as described, please say so here. -- Roger Hui <<DateTime(2007-08-08T18:20:17Z)>>
  • I thought there was a local symbol table for each instance an explicit definition was invoked. In other words, this is an error: (f=:3 :'if.y<2 do.t=.f y+1 else.t end.') 0 -- Raul Miller <<DateTime(2007-08-08T19:00:02Z)>>
    • I have amended point b by adding "execution of an". -- Roger Hui <<DateTime(2007-08-08T20:00:17Z)>>
  • On e. it is possible to assign a global name when the name is also local by specifying the name as a locative. -- -- Don Guinn <<DateTime(2007-08-09T01:10:40Z)>>
    • A locative can not be a local name. -- Roger Hui <<DateTime(2007-08-09T16:38:49Z)>>
    • Both remarks are useful from practical perspective. -- Oleg Kobchenko <<DateTime(2007-08-10T02:12:55Z)>>
  • Non-local name for assignment is resolved as above, but if not found is created in the current locale. -- Oleg Kobchenko <<DateTime(2007-08-10T02:32:18Z)>>
    • These points are covered by d and a. -- Roger Hui <<DateTime(2007-08-10T16:06:44Z)>>
  • Although it is possible to use locative to obviate the same local name, it is not always convenient or easy to know what is the current locale in a simple form, e.g. ('a_',(>coname''),'_')=. 1. However, there is the nice name__ default locative form, but it hardwired to base. But base is base, and if someone wants to specifically assign to base, can always use name_base_. Whereas the convenient and generic form name__ could be used to designate non-local name. In such role, it will overrule the local name preference even if local name exists. -- Oleg Kobchenko <<DateTime(2007-08-10T02:32:18Z)>>
    • The essay describes the way the system is, not what it could be. -- Roger Hui <<DateTime(2007-08-11T15:18:39Z)>>
  • Any name is created only when assignment is executed, i.e. not when assignment is parsed, or just appears earlier from the right. See parsing and execution rules. Cf
   a [   ".'a=.1'   NB. ". not yet executed, a is undefined, thus treated as verb
|domain error: a
|       a[0!:0'a=.1'
   a [ ] ".'a=.1'   NB. parse rule complete, ". is executed, a is defined as noun
1
-- Oleg Kobchenko <<DateTime(2007-08-10T02:12:55Z)>>
    • I have added point g. -- Roger Hui <<DateTime(2007-08-11T15:18:39Z)>>
  • the term "symbol table" from general parser theory sounds too technical, and overlaps with the meaning associated with the s: feature (and symbolic nature of APL/J primitives, i.e.!@#$%...). See J4C and LJ by searching J site. A possible alternative could be "name table". -- Oleg Kobchenko <<DateTime(2007-08-10T02:47:35Z)>>
    • "Symbol table" is helpful to someone who already knows what it is, or for searching in the wider literature (e.g. Wikipedia). If it is new to the reader the meaning is still clear from context in the essay. -- Roger Hui <<DateTime(2007-08-10T16:35:15Z)>>