[Jprogramming] The word for arrays of rank > 2

[Alexander Mikhailov]

Having word "matrix" (where it came from?..) and tradition in J to name things with non-traditional names (verb, noun), I'd vote for orthotope. Unmistakeable, succinct.



----- Original Message -----
From: Henry Rich <HenryHRich at nc.rr.com>
To: Programming forum <programming at jsoftware.com>
Cc: 
Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2011 7:10 PM
Subject: [Jprogramming] The word for arrays of rank > 2

'cube' was suggested.  Raul objected that a cube should have all axes of 
equal length.

'cuboid' has been used in Ye Dic (in the description of ;.0).  According 
to Wikipedia a cuboid should have rank 3.  And the word seems strained.

'hyperrectangle' is used, but it's a fifty-cent word for a ten-cent idea.

A fancier word is 'orthotope'.  Great if you're a Greek scholar.

Also, 'box', which would be perfect if we weren't using it already.

How about 'brick'? or 'block'?

I like 'brick', followed by 'cube'.

Henry Rich
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