Re: Getting started with APL

[Garjola Dindi]

Hi,

Thanks again for this detailed response.

I favor free software and I use GNU/Linux. I also live in Emacs and I
find the GNU APL mode very nice. So I think that with those and GNU APL
I have good tools ;)

I can get easy access to the 2 following books:

- APL With a Mathematical Accent (C. A. Reiter)
- APL\360 AN INTERACTIVE APPROACH (Leonard Gilman, Allen Rose)

And I also have the pdf for Mastering Dyalog APL from the link you
posted.

So I think I am all set. I just need to start working on those. My goal
is to widen my horizons beyond OOP and FP to become a better programmer.
And also to have fun, of course.

Thanks again to everyone who answered to my questions. You are a very
welcoming community.

Cheers.

G. Dindi


On Tue 19-Dec-2023 at 18:41:50 +01, Dr. Jürgen Sauermann
<mail@xn--jrgen-sauermann-zvb.de>
wrote: 
> Hi,
>
> GNU APL is not fully compatible with Dyalog APL.
>
> GNU APL is (to the extent possible) compatible with IBM APL2.
> As long as you only use the APL features that are standardized
> (which means ISO standard 13751) you are safe and the
> differences between APL interpreters still around (Dyalog,
> IBM, NGN, and GNU APL) are relatively minor.
>
> If you choose to walk along the Dyalog path (which may make sense
> under certain circumstances) then your programs will not be portable
> to other APLs or to operating systems not supported by Dyalog.
>
> Same story as Windows for operating systems (more convenient at
> the start, but a truckload  of troubles later on). Many like it, some
> do not for good reasons (freedom of software etc).
>
> If you only want to learn the basics of APL (as opposed to selling or
> sharing your APL programs with others) then any of the different
> APL interpreters around should be fine for you and then the proprietary
> ones like Dyalog are IMHO better avoided.
>
> I would also assume that Dyalog and IBM APL2 are easier to install
> on Windows while GNU APL is easier to install on GNU/Linux or BSD.
>
> Best Regards,
> Jürgen
>
>
> On 12/19/23 12:58, Garjola Dindi wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> Thanks for your prompt answer. I will have a look at those. Is
>> "Mastering Dyalog APL" compatible with GNU APL? I was affraid that I
>> would have trouble with this book if there are example code which only
>> works with Dyalog.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> G. Dindi
>>
>> On Tue 19-Dec-2023 at 11:50:33 +01, Dr. Jürgen Sauermann
>> <mail@xn--jrgen-sauermann-zvb.de>
>> wrote:
>>> Hi Gariola,
>>>
>>> I believe that the simplest way of learning APL is by examples.
>>> There are many good books around, for example Dyalogs
>>> "Mastering Dyalog APL":
>>>
>>> https://www.dyalog.com/uploads/documents/MasteringDyalogAPL.pdf
>>>
>>> I personnaiiy like "APL ― An Interactive Approach" by Gilman and Allen
>>> (not sure though if it is the one I used to learn APL). Have a look at:
>>>
>>> https://aplwiki.com/wiki/Books
>>>
>>> for more pointers.
>>>
>>> Best Regards,
>>> Jürgen
>>>
>>> On 12/19/23 09:49, Garjola Dindi wrote:
>>>
>>>   Hi,
>>>
>>> Maybe this is not the right place to ask this question. Do not hesitate
>>> to tell me so if that’s the case.
>>>
>>> I am completely new to APL and I am looking for a learning resource
>>> (preferably a book, but other media would be fine) that would be
>>> compatible with GNU APL. I have found documentation for proprietary
>>> versions of APL that I prefer to stay away from and I understand that
>>> these have substantial differences wrt GNU APL.
>>>
>>> I have browsed the resources available at
>>> https://www.gnu.org/software/apl/Community.html, but I find them
>>> difficult for a beginner like me and I would need a more structured
>>> approach to learning APL.
>>>
>>> Do not hesitate to point me somewhere else if this is not the
>>> appropriate forum for my request.
>>>
>>> Thanks for your time and attention.
>>>
>>> G. Dindi
>>>
>
>
>

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