[Jprogramming] Learning J language - initial thoughts

[Greg Borota]

3) I am thinking Arthur Whitney's K might help to some extend define a more
reduced J core. J Dictionary does defines a J core, but maybe things could
be reduced some more to get one going quicker. See
http://kparc.com/document/k.txt

4) I am willing to, but a bit later.

5) I'll note those cases and bring to our attention.



> > 3) I am not the first to mention this. I wish there was a minimal J
> > language core documented/available. I see veterans on this forum saying
> > things like: "I almost never use some of those verbs". Is there not a
> > minimal J language core targeting general language use? For example,
> > leaving out specifics like numerical analysis, statistics, etc. This
> > might help some not drop by the way side. E.g. http://xprogramming
> > .com/category/j-language/
>
> In my experience, we typically focus on a small subset of J's
> vocabulary, but the subset we use depends on our application, and how
> we approach our problems.
>
> In other words, I think that there's a good variety of "minimal Js"
> each probably with its own audience and context.
>
> For example, many programming language have a if/then construct.  J
> provides these keywords, but it's worth noticing that the pattern here
> is a data driven operation where we choose between executing some bit
> of code "0 times or 1 time".  Meanwhile, J's * is a "times operator".
> So in some contexts 0 * n or 1 * n can be used to achieve the same
> end.  (J offers a few other options, also.)  It's rare for any program
> to need more than one or two of these mechanisms.  (I choose this
> example because there's almost nothing about the description that's
> specific to J, but many other languages have enough distracting issues
> that you might not have noticed the pattern.)
>
> > 4) Whenever it felt like dropping, browsing through papers like "Notation
> > as a tool of thought" or "Language as an intellectual tool: From
> > hieroglyphics to APL" helped boost my motivation to stay the course.
> Maybe
> > creating a "Why learn J" section on J site where this kind of papers,
> > articles, etc. are referenced would help many.
>
> Do you feel motivated to help write such a thing?
>
> > 5) English is not my native language. With the Internet, anything posted
> > online in English has automatically a global audience. Maybe keeping that
> > in mind and going easier on un-common/literary English words would help J
> > adoption some more? It's a pity APL language family are not
> > more mainstream. I think our profession has much to lose because of the
> > current state of things.
>
> If you have the energy to detail problem cases you recognize in the
> introductory or reference works, maybe we can think of better ways to
> present the important ideas?
>
> Thanks,
>
> --
> Raul
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