Re: ["Can I ", sprintf ("make this code work?\n")]

[Bill Denney]

On Tue, 30 May 2006, William Poetra Yoga Hadisoeseno wrote:
> On 5/30/06, Keith Goodman <address@hidden> wrote:
> > On 5/29/06, Etienne Grossmann <address@hidden> wrote:
> >
> > > this is just to ask whether there is a 2.9.5 setting that would allow me to
> > > run this (legacy) code unchanged?
> > >
> > >     ["Can I ", sprintf ("make this code work?\n")]
> >
> > The parser thinks you are trying to concatenate three things. Just
> > remove the space between sprintf and (.
> So, is this a bug or a feature?

It's the best of both worlds: both.

The longer answer (that I think is right) is:

When Octave's parser reaches something like

["Can I ", sprintf ("make this code work?\n")]

It parses it as

a concatenation: [
an interpreted string: "Can I "
a separator: ,
a function or variable: sprintf
a grouping or function argument opening: (
an interpreted string: "make this code work?\n"
a group or function argument closing: )
a concatenation closing: ]

The problem is that it doesn't know if sprintf is a function or a variable 
here, and as such, it can't be sure if the grouping after it is just a 
grouping or if it is the argument to the function.  Removing the space 
after sprintf removes the doubt.

(Etienne, could something about this go into the FAQ)

Bill

--
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snarl at the good and beautiful because it lies beyond their sympathies."
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