I previously wrote: > > ... What I think is needed is an additional "Dictionary of > > Examples", where there might be, say, 10-15 examples for each verb, > > adverb, control, foreign conjunction, etc. ...
And Raul replied: > Great idea. > Would you happen to know any beginners who could help > pick some interesting examples for J's verbs? Let me elaborate just slightly on what I'm seeking: The problem with J's current documentation is that it tells in great detail what each verb *does*, but it doesn't indicate *why* that's useful or what it might be used for. That's where more examples (and explanations) come in. I'm not seeking exhaustiveness but, rather, typical uses of the verbs, etc., in "real life" numeric *and* textual situations (current examples are heavy on numbers). The examples I'm talking about wouldn't necessarily emphasize the mechanics of J (although that's obviously important in examples, too, and is pretty much what the current documentation does) but more the *creativity* involved in J, how these verbs, etc., have *practical* use, not just theoretical beauty. (And let me say that I very much appreciate and enjoy seeing the cleverness and elegance in the programming forum!) In answer to your question, I'd find it interesting, but I don't know anywhere near enough to be even somewhat helpful at this point. What more expert users (those have used and are quite familiar with all the verbs, adverbs, conjunctions, etc.) might try is to ask the question for *every* verb, etc.: "Why in the world would anyone ever use this verb (etc.)?" It's the same question you'd use with commands in *any* programming language to generate examples to use in learning the language. Additionally, for each verb (etc.), you might ask, "What other verb(s) or adverb(s) (etc.) is this useful in combination with?" (The latter question, of course, has some relationship with "J Phrases".) In any case, this second question can help generate further examples as well as variations on examples. Harvey ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
