Glen, learning by example is good, but you should consider backing it with also taking a look at the main documentation pages from clojure.org !
Concerning the topic at hand, you need to "get" : * the syntax for defn : http://richhickey.github.com/clojure/clojure.core-api.html#clojure.core/defn * which references the syntax for def : http://clojure.org/special_forms#toc1 * the syntax for the anonymous function form (fn []) : http://clojure.org/special_forms#toc10 may also help Granted, with a book offering less "normalized" documentation, it may be easier to start with :-) 2010/1/25 Glen Rubin <[email protected]>: > I am trying to learn clojure by learning the programing by example > open wiki book. For an excercise demonstrating iteration they give > the following example: > > (defn factorial > ([n] > (factorial n 1)) > ([n acc] > (if (= n 0) acc > (recur (dec n) (* acc n))))) > > > first I don't understand how acc ever gets an initial value? > > also the arguments to the function are a list and not a vector? > > why is the vector [n acc] on a line by itself? > > This function is very confusing to me!! thanks for any help!! > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "Clojure" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > Note that posts from new members are moderated - please be patient with your > first post. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected] > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/clojure?hl=en -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Clojure" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] Note that posts from new members are moderated - please be patient with your first post. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/clojure?hl=en
