openlang
Language design and syntax

Returning results from an APL function

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How do I make my function return something once execution has finished?

For instance, I have:

ROUTINE N

? N ⍴ 12

//That generates N random values (N being the argument to the function) between 1 and 12.

I'd simply like to understand how to get the function's result back and, for instance, supply that result to a different function.

Thanks for any assistance!

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Follow the reasoning

  1. You specify that in the function's header (the line numbered 0).

    The syntax looks like this:

    answer ← lhs calculate rhs ; local_names

    Then, when execution of your function ends, it returns whatever is stored in answer.

  2. Another possibility, provided your APL implementation allows it, is direct definition (dfns or lambdas). This should work with Dyalog and GNU, plus NARS2000 and NGN APL.

    Try this

    {?⍵⍴12} 36

    The argument is represented by ⍵ (N in the question)

    Whatever the expression produces becomes the result, without requiring an explicit return declaration.

    Another possibility is

    calculate←{?⍵⍴12}

    followed by

    calculate 36

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