Stories with Tag J

• Understanding-j: An introduction to the J programming language that gets to the

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  Posted: 2025-05-03 20:40:59

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  Understanding-j provides a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the J programming language. It aims to quickly get beginners writing real programs by focusing on practical application and core concepts like arrays, verbs, adverbs, and conjunctions. The tutorial emphasizes J's inherent parallelism and tacit programming style, encouraging users to leverage its power for concise and efficient data manipulation. By working through examples and exercises, readers will develop a foundational understanding of J's unique approach to programming and problem-solving.

  The GitHub repository titled "Understanding-j: An introduction to the J programming language that gets to the" aims to provide a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the J programming language, focusing on its core principles and practical usage. The author posits that existing J tutorials often fall short by either overwhelming beginners with abstract concepts or focusing solely on trivial examples without demonstrating the true power and elegance of J. This repository intends to bridge that gap.

  The tutorial begins by introducing the fundamental building blocks of J, namely verbs and nouns. It elaborates on how these elements interact to form expressions and how J's unique syntax facilitates concise and powerful computations. The tutorial emphasizes the array-oriented nature of J and how it allows for operating on entire data collections simultaneously, rather than iterating through individual elements.

  The repository delves into the rich set of built-in verbs provided by J, categorizing them and explaining their functionalities with clear and illustrative examples. It covers arithmetic operations, logical operations, data manipulation functions, and higher-order functions that allow for customizing and extending J's capabilities. The tutorial aims to demonstrate the practical applications of J through real-world examples, showcasing how J's conciseness and expressive power can be leveraged for tasks such as data analysis, algorithm implementation, and general problem-solving.

  The structure of the tutorial is designed to be progressive, building upon previously introduced concepts and gradually increasing the complexity of the examples. The author strives for clarity and conciseness in their explanations, avoiding jargon and providing ample examples to illustrate each concept. The repository is envisioned as a living document, potentially subject to future additions and refinements based on feedback and further exploration of the J language. The ultimate goal is to empower learners to effectively utilize J for a wide range of computational tasks by providing a solid foundation in its core principles and practical applications. It emphasizes a learn-by-doing approach, encouraging readers to experiment with the examples and explore the language's capabilities.

  • J Programming Language
  • J
  • programming
  • Tutorial
  • Introduction
  • APL
  • Array Programming
  • Tacit Programming
  • Functional Programming

  Summary of Comments ( 0 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43882118

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  HN commenters generally express appreciation for the resource, finding it a more accessible introduction to J than other available materials. Some highlight the tutorial's clear explanations of complex concepts like forks and hooks, while others praise the effective use of diagrams and the focus on practical application rather than just theory. A few users share their own experiences with J, noting its power and conciseness but also acknowledging its steep learning curve. One commenter suggests that the tutorial could benefit from interactive examples, while another points out the lack of discussion regarding J's integrated development environment.

  The Hacker News post discussing the "Understanding-j" introduction to the J programming language has a modest number of comments, offering a mix of perspectives on the language and the guide itself.

  Several commenters reflect on their past experiences with J, often expressing appreciation for its power and conciseness while acknowledging its steep learning curve. One user describes J as a language they "love to hate," highlighting the challenge of reading code even after writing it. Another commenter recalls their attempt to learn J and APL, finding the latter slightly more approachable due to its more standard keyboard layout. This sentiment is echoed by another user who humorously suggests the need for a specialized keyboard to truly utilize J effectively.

  Some comments directly address the linked guide. One commenter appreciates the author's candid admission of J's unconventional nature and the time investment required to master it. The guide's focus on practical application rather than just syntax is also praised. Another user points out that the guide doesn't shy away from demonstrating complex operations early on, potentially overwhelming beginners.

  The discussion also touches on the broader context of array-oriented programming and J's relationship to APL. One comment compares and contrasts J and APL, highlighting J's use of ASCII characters and its more developed tacit programming capabilities. The potential benefits of array-oriented programming for certain tasks are acknowledged, but the inherent difficulty of these languages for most programmers is also recognized.

  A couple of commenters offer alternative resources for learning J, including the official J language website and NuVoc, a project focused on making array programming more accessible.

  Finally, there's a brief thread discussing the practical applications of J, with suggestions ranging from data analysis and financial modeling to code golfing. One commenter humorously suggests that J's primary use case is "writing J interpreters in other languages."

  Overall, the comments paint a picture of J as a powerful but challenging language, with the "Understanding-j" guide seen as a potentially valuable resource for those willing to put in the effort. The discussion doesn't offer a definitive conclusion on J's practicality or relevance, but provides a nuanced perspective on its strengths, weaknesses, and place within the broader programming landscape.

• Notation as a Tool of Thought (1979)

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  Posted: 2025-04-25 02:30:34

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  Kenneth Iverson's "Notation as a Tool of Thought" argues that concise, executable mathematical notation significantly amplifies cognitive abilities. He demonstrates how APL, a programming language designed around a powerful set of symbolic operators, facilitates clearer thinking and problem-solving. By allowing complex operations to be expressed succinctly, APL reduces cognitive load and fosters exploration of mathematical concepts. The paper presents examples of APL's effectiveness in diverse domains, showcasing its capacity to represent algorithms elegantly and efficiently. Iverson posits that appropriate notation empowers the user to manipulate ideas more readily, promoting deeper understanding and leading to novel insights that might otherwise remain inaccessible.

  Kenneth E. Iverson's 1979 Turing Award lecture, "Notation as a Tool of Thought," meticulously explores the profound influence of notation on the process of thought itself. Iverson posits that well-designed notation can significantly amplify cognitive abilities, enabling individuals to grasp complex concepts and manipulate them with greater ease and efficiency. He argues that effective notation serves not merely as a means of recording or communicating ideas, but as an active participant in their very formation and development.

  The core of Iverson's argument rests on the assertion that suitable notation provides a framework for thinking. This framework allows for the concise representation of intricate ideas, thereby freeing mental resources that would otherwise be consumed by cumbersome manipulation of verbose expressions. This cognitive liberation facilitates the exploration of new ideas and the discovery of unexpected connections. Furthermore, a well-crafted notation encourages exploration and experimentation by simplifying the process of manipulating symbolic representations.

  Iverson substantiates his claims by drawing upon examples from various disciplines, including mathematics, programming, and even musical notation. He demonstrates how the evolution of mathematical notation, for example, from the rudimentary numerical systems of antiquity to the sophisticated symbolic language of modern mathematics, has directly contributed to advancements in mathematical thought. He illustrates how concise and powerful notations like APL, a programming language he developed, enable programmers to express complex algorithms with remarkable brevity and clarity, leading to improved code comprehension and maintainability. Even musical notation, he argues, provides a powerful example of how symbolic representation can capture and convey intricate patterns of sound, facilitating both composition and performance.

  A key characteristic of effective notation, according to Iverson, is its ability to facilitate manipulation. He emphasizes the importance of operators and functions that can be combined and applied in flexible ways. This allows for the construction of complex expressions that can be easily manipulated and transformed, enabling users to explore different perspectives and discover new insights. The ease with which these manipulations can be performed encourages exploration and experimentation, further enhancing the power of notation as a tool of thought.

  Furthermore, Iverson argues for the importance of executability in notation. He highlights the benefits of being able to directly test and validate ideas expressed in a formal notation. This immediate feedback loop allows for rapid refinement of concepts and facilitates the identification of errors or inconsistencies. The ability to execute notated ideas transforms notation from a static representation into a dynamic tool for exploration and discovery.

  In conclusion, Iverson's "Notation as a Tool of Thought" presents a compelling case for the profound impact of notation on human cognition. He demonstrates, through a range of examples and insightful analysis, how well-designed notation can empower thought, fostering creativity, facilitating exploration, and ultimately, advancing knowledge across diverse fields of human endeavor. He advocates for the careful consideration and development of notations in all disciplines, recognizing their potential to amplify human intellect and unlock new avenues of understanding.

  • notation
  • thought
  • Cognitive Science
  • programming
  • APL
  • J
  • programming language design
  • mathematics
  • Problem Solving
  • Kenneth Iverson
  • 1979
  • formal systems
  • representation
  • Reasoning

  Summary of Comments ( 38 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43789593

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  Hacker News users discuss Iverson's 1979 Turing Award lecture, focusing on the power and elegance of APL's notation. Several commenters highlight its influence on array programming in later languages like Python (NumPy) and J. Some debate APL's steep learning curve and cryptic symbols, contrasting it with more verbose languages. The conciseness of APL is both praised for enabling complex operations in a single line and criticized for its difficulty to read and debug. The discussion also touches upon the notation's ability to foster a different way of thinking about problems, reflecting Iverson's original point about notation as a tool of thought. A few commenters share personal anecdotes about learning and using APL, emphasizing its educational value and expressing regret at its decline in popularity.

  The Hacker News post titled "Notation as a Tool of Thought (1979)" linking to Kenneth E. Iverson's paper has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the paper and APL.

  Several commenters reflect on their own experiences with APL. One user describes APL as "a language that makes you think differently," highlighting its concise and powerful nature, while acknowledging it can be challenging to learn. Another shares their experience of using APL in a commercial setting for prototyping financial algorithms, praising its speed and expressiveness for this purpose. They further elaborate on the benefits of APL's array-oriented approach, explaining how it simplifies complex operations. A different user expresses their initial skepticism towards APL's practicality but admits to being intrigued by its potential after reading the article.

  The conciseness of APL, a recurring theme, is both praised and criticized. Some commenters appreciate the ability to express complex computations in a compact form, while others find this same feature contributes to its notorious difficulty. This leads to a discussion about the balance between expressiveness and readability. One user argues that APL's terseness makes it ideal for exploratory programming and rapid prototyping, while others maintain that clarity should be prioritized for larger projects and team collaboration.

  A few comments delve into more technical aspects of APL, such as its array processing capabilities and unique syntax. The paper's focus on the role of notation in shaping thought processes is also discussed, with users drawing parallels to other domains like mathematics and music. The influence of APL on later programming languages and paradigms is mentioned, with some users highlighting its contributions to array-oriented programming and functional programming.

  One commenter laments the lack of modern APL implementations with good tooling and integration with other ecosystems, which they believe hinders its wider adoption. Others counter this point by mentioning actively developed APL implementations like Dyalog APL and GNU APL, suggesting that the language is not entirely stagnant.

  Overall, the comments section reveals a mix of admiration, curiosity, and skepticism towards APL. Its conciseness and power are acknowledged, but its difficulty and niche status are also recognized. The discussion provides insights into the language's strengths and weaknesses, its historical impact, and its potential relevance in the modern programming landscape.