[Jprogramming] J v Python

[Bo Jacoby]

Conventional algebraic notation is sometimes confusing. mc^2 means m*(c^2) , mass times light speed squared, while cm^2 means square centimeter, (c*m)^2, rather than centi squaremeter, c*(m^2). The J convention for omitting parentheses is better. 
- Bo




>________________________________
> Fra: Raul Miller <rauldmiller at gmail.com>
>Til: programming at jsoftware.com 
>Sendt: 14:07 lørdag den 8. december 2012
>Emne: Re: [Jprogramming] J v Python
> 
>On Fri, Dec 7, 2012 at 12:43 PM, Boyko Bantchev <boykobb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Traditional algebraic notation is very good for what it has been
>> designed, and much easier to learn for kids than parsing J, let alone
>> understanding the underlying computational model.
>
>To my knowledge, no studies have been done to investigate this issue.
>
>And, if we constrain our use of J to only those operations which have
>equivalents in traditional algebraic notation, I am dubious of the
>conclusion --- it conflicts with my experience.  [That said, if you
>make a deliberate attempt to make one or the other notation confusing,
>you might succeed.]
>
>That said, there's an issue here involving available materials, and
>that is where traditional algebraic notation shines.
>
>> Consider what a juxtaposition of two tokens within an expression could
>> mean:
>>
>>     – (part of the) contents of an array;
>>     – application of a monadic verb;
>>     – application (in the opposite direction!) of an adverb;
>>     – (partial) application of a conjunction (producing an adverb);
>>     – a train of two adverbs;
>>     – part of an application of a dyadic verb;
>>     – part of an application of a conjunction;
>>     – part of a train of three verbs;
>>     – (implicit) composition of verbs;
>>     – a hook.
>>
>> I may be missing some but there are 10 (!) variants so far – all this
>> of nothing more than the innocent sequence of two.  The tip of the
>> iceberg.  How are kids expected to tackle the rest of it?
>
>Note that traditional algebraic notation has analogous issues.  But
>both of these pale to insignificance when compared to the number of
>issues of this sort represented by the english language. So I feel
>this enumeration of partial contexts is a red herring.
>
>-- 
>Raul
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