RE: Hello
- Posted by ernobe at msn.com Jan 02, 2002
- 433 views
petelomax at blueyonder.co.uk wrote: > Hello all, > > Just joined and already here is my first bozo question: > > I notice there is no float() function. > Am I right in assuming that is the only distinction between the atom() > and integer() functions? I tested it and it seems to be true. > integer('a') returns true as I kind of expected. (& accept to be true) > > Just being curious. > > Pete Yes. There are only two basic types of data: atoms and sequences. Somewhere in the documentation Mr. Craig says that he chose the word 'atom' for the basic data type because it conveys the idea of ultimate irreducible items of information upon which the whole program rests. Sort of that on which no more divisions and analysis can be made. This raises an interesting question, concerning the relation of this theory to bits, which undoubtedly are the indivisible elements of any computer program, and whether the atoms can be used to program at a low enough level so as to make Euphoria the next systems programming language. http://communities.msn.com/Semioticphilosophy