[REBOL] Re: On mutability and sameness
From: joel:neely:fedex at: 7-Jun-2001 8:47
Hello, all!
Of course, the point of all this discussion of mutability,
representation, etc. is not merely idle speculation. The
goal (at least for me) is to develop the simplest possible
(accurate!) model of REBOL data type behavior.
It must be "simplest" to maximize learnability.
It must be "accurate" to allow correct interpretation and
prediction of the behavior of a piece of REBOL code, based
on reading the code and not by trial-and-error experiment.
So... Here's a revised cut based on what's been said thus
far in this thread.
=============================================================
Class of data SAME?-ness EQUAL?-ity Values
Sample types in class based on based on mutable?
======================== ========== ========== ========
Atomic scalar data value data value no
CHAR!, INTEGER!
Composite scalar data value data value yes, via
DATE!, TIME! refinemts
Built-in reference reference content yes
STRING!, BLOCK! comparison comparison
User-defined reference reference unsupported yes
OBJECT! comparison (always false)
=============================================================
Comments, changes, corrections welcome.
Next step -- place all REBOL data types at the correct spot in
the above table.
-jn-
------------------------------------------------------------
Programming languages: compact, powerful, simple ...
Pick any two!
joel'dot'neely'at'fedex'dot'com
