Queries re: A short introduction to Red for Python programmers

[mark-summerfield]

I've started reading A-short-introduction-to-Red-for-Python-programmers and have some initial comments on the Datatypes section:

• For char! it isn't clear if #"^(41)" is decimal or hexadecimal. It would be useful to put in a clearer example e.g., U+20AC (euro) since that would make it obvious which it is, and that Red can cope with non-ASCII Unicode chars (assuming it can).
• For string! the first example seems to use curly quotes rather than straight quotes, but the others use straight quotes. Does Red accept either? If not, just the valid kind should be shown.
• Also in string! it isn't clear if {} are only for multi-line strings or could be used for even short strings, say, {a small "string"}?
• Regarding block! and paren!: if [] is equivalent to '() it is worth mentioning.
• Also, in paren! the term quote is used but not defined or given an example. I have guessed it means single-quote, i.e., ', but it would be nice to be told.
• Regarding map! and object! both seem to hold key-value pairs, so some explanation of the differences would help.
• The function! example is unclear because the meaning of the term 'specification' seems to be Red-specific but isn't explained.
• I don't understand the bitset! examples at all.

This is clearly a useful guide, but more examples and more explanations would help.

[greggirwin]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll let @GalenIvanov chime in where I don't address something.

1. Agreed. Having hex codes as examples, or high code points is a good idea.
   2,3) "..." is for single line strings only {...} can be used for either. Good to note the distinction.
2. There is no '() syntax, but, yes, blocks are not evaluated by default, while parens are. Otherwise, they are both block types and may contain any value.
3. quote is a function to prevent evlauation of an argument or value. Use help quote in the console.
4. Yes. We could point to https://github.com/red/red/wiki/%5BDOC%5D-Comparison-of-aggregate-values-(block!-vector!-object!-hash!-map!)
5. I'll let Galen address this.
6. Good to note!

[hiiamboris]

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[GalenIvanov]

Thank you for the feedback!

1. I added the #"^(20AC)" example as you suggested.
2. Red uses straight quotes to delimit strings. The curly quotes were artefacts from editing the text in MS Word – I changed them to straight ones.
3. As @greggirwin already answered, "..." is for single line strings only, whereas {...} can be used for either single and multi line strings.
4. If by '() you meant a quoted list as seen in LISP languages – yes, it is equivalent to Red blocks, since they are not evaluated by default. There is no '() syntax in Red.
5. I added an example for quote for parens, it was not clear what I meant.
6. @greggirwin answered
7. There is a whole section in the document describing functions. Datatypes section only introduces some of the types in Red with simple examples. I added short description for function’s specification and body.
8. There are more detailed examples of bitset! later in the document (in String-specific functions). I’ve extended the explanation of bitsets in the Datatypes section.