Re: [Bug-apl] Questions about GNU APL

[Juergen Sauermann]

Hi Blake,

1. currently there is only address@hidden,org that deals with everything
related to GNU APL. The posting frequency is not that high, so I think
a separate list makes little sense. It is perfectly OK if you post discussions
and other non-bugs to bug-apl.

2. I could answer that if I knew exactly what component file is? Is that the
⍐, ⍗, ⍇, and ⍈ functions from APL68000? Anyway, I would like to keep
file systems, databases etc. out of the core GNU APL because the preferences
and requirements of different people are likely to be very different.

However such functions are needed in real life and the intended way to interface
to such functions in GNU APL are native functions (as opposed to introducing new
⎕xx functions or using shared variables).

3. I believe that A. - D. are of general interest. Is is just a question of how to provide
and maintain them. My view on this is that APL functions and variables should be
stored and published in a vendor-independent format that can be easily imported
into APL and easily exported out of APL, The format shall be human-readable and
easy to copy-and-paste from web pages etc. The new )DUMP command of GNU APL
is an attempt into that direction.

/// Jürgen



On 03/31/2014 06:51 AM, Blake McBride wrote:

Greetings,

I started programming in APL in 1980.  I programmed in it for about five years.  I have a lot of fond memories.  I hadn't been too interested in APL for a long time because it was controlled by vendors who could go out of business at a moments notice.  I couldn't base anything on it - until now!

I am currently running on Linux.  I installed GNU APL 1.3 without any problems.  Seems to work so far.  Very nice!

I happen to have an APL keyboard that also seems to work fine.

I have some questions that I would appreciate if you can answer as follows:

1.  Is there a mailing list for the public to interact regarding GNU APL?  (If not, it would be very nice!)

2.  I started out using component file.  I later moved on to keyed files (from TSR).  I never really used shared variables.  Does GNU APL have component and/or keyed files?  This is pretty critical.  If not, is one planned?

3.  I wrote the following in portable APL.  I think I still have the code.  Is there any interest in it?

A.  Multi-user keyed file system on top of a component file system.

B.  APL code editor

C.  Advanced formatter that includes things like commas in numbers, floating dollar signs, parens around negative numbers, fixed decimal places, etc.

D.  A large set of various functions that make building applications in APL much simpler.  Many are clean-room implementation of TSR's old libraries including user IO with error checking, calendar/Julian date routines, and many more.

Thanks!

Blake McBride

address@hidden