5: A compatible let form with signatures and rest arguments5: A compatible let form with signatures and rest argumentsby Andy Gaynor
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let form has two slight
inconsistencies with the define form. As defined, the let
form makes no accommodation for rest arguments, an issue of functionality
and consistency. As defined, the let form does not accommodate
signature-style syntax, an issue of aesthetics and consistency. Both
issues are addressed here in a manner which is compatible with the traditional
let form but for minor extensions.
Consider the following two equivalent definitions:
(define fibonacci
(lambda (n i f0 f1)
(if (= i n)
f0
(fibonacci n (+ i 1) f1 (+ f0 f1)))))
(define (fibonacci n i f0 f1)
(if (= i n)
f0
(fibonacci n (+ i 1) f1 (+ f0 f1))))
Although there is a named-let analog for the former form, there is none for the latter. To wit, suppose one wished to compute the 10th element of the Fibonacci sequence using a named let:
(let fibonacci ((n 10) (i 0) (f0 0) (f1 1))
(if (= i n)
f0
(fibonacci n (+ i 1) f1 (+ f0 f1))))
Values: 55
As it stands, one cannot equivalently write
(let (fibonacci (n 10) (i 0) (f0 0) (f1 1))
(if (= i n)
f0
(fibonacci n (+ i 1) f1 (+ f0 f1))))
which is consistent with define's signature-style form.
Those that favor the signature style may prefer this extension. In any case, it may be more appropriate to include all bound names within the binding section. As presented, this straightforward extension introduces no ambiguity or incompatibility with the existing definition of let.
As it stands, one cannot write a named let with rest arguments, as in
(let (blast (port (current-output-port)) . (x (+ 1 2) 4 5))
(if (null? x)
'just-a-silly-contrived-example
(begin
(write (car x) port)
(apply blast port (cdr x)))))
otherwise equivalent to
(letrec ((blast (lambda (port . x) (if (null? x) 'just-a-silly-contrived-example (begin (write (car x) port) (apply blast port (cdr x))))))) (blast (current-output-port) (+ 1 2) 4 5))
While this example is rather contrived, the functionality is not.
There are several times when the author has used this construct in practice.
Regardless, there is little reason to deny the let form access to
all the features of lambda functionality.
Both the features above rely upon the placement of symbols in let
binding lists (this statement is intentionally simplistic). The only
other apparent use of such symbol placement is to tersely bind variables
to unspecified values. For example, one might desire to use
(let (foo bar baz) ...)
to bind foo, bar, and baz to
unspecified values.
This usage is considered less important in light of the rationales
presented above, and an alternate syntax is immediately apparent, as
in (let ((foo) (bar) (baz)) ...) This may even
be preferable, consistently parenthesizing normal binding clauses.
A formal specification of the syntax follows. Below, body, expression, and identifier are free. Each instantiation of binding-name must be unique.
let = "(" "let" let-bindings body ")"
expressions = nothing | expression expressions
let-bindings = let-name bindings
| "(" let-name "." bindings ")"
let-name = identifier
bindings = "(" ")"
| rest-binding
| "(" normal-bindings ["." rest-binding] ")"
normal-bindings = nothing
| normal-binding normal-bindings
normal-binding = "(" binding-name expression ")"
binding-name = identifier
rest-binding = "(" binding-name expressions ")"
For clarity and convenience, an informal specification follows.
(let ((<parameter> <argument>)...) <body>...)
(let <name> ((<parameter> <argument>)...) <body>...)
(let (<name> (<parameter> <argument>)...) <body>...)
(let <name> ((<parameter> <argument>)...
. (<rest-parameter> <rest-argument>...))
<body>...)
(let (<name> (<parameter> <argument>)... . (<rest-parameter> <rest-argument>...)) <body>...)
Let $lambda and $letrec be hygienic bindings for the lambda
and letrec forms, respectively.
(($lambda (<parameter>...) <body>...) <argument>...)
($letrec ((<name> ($lambda (<parameter>...) <body>...))) (<name> <argument>...))
($letrec ((<name> ($lambda (<parameter>... . <rest-parameter>) <body>...))) (<name> <argument>... <rest-argument>...))
Here is an implementation using SYNTAX-RULES.
;; Use your own standard let.
;; Or call a lambda.
;; (define-syntax standard-let
;;
;; (syntax-rules ()
;;
;; ((let ((var val) ...) body ...)
;; ((lambda (var ...) body ...) val ...))))
(define-syntax let
(syntax-rules ()
;; No bindings: use standard-let.
((let () body ...)
(standard-let () body ...))
;; Or call a lambda.
;; ((lambda () body ...))
;; All standard bindings: use standard-let.
((let ((var val) ...) body ...)
(standard-let ((var val) ...) body ...))
;; Or call a lambda.
;; ((lambda (var ...) body ...) val ...)
;; One standard binding: loop.
;; The all-standard-bindings clause didn't match,
;; so there must be a rest binding.
((let ((var val) . bindings) body ...)
(let-loop #f bindings (var) (val) (body ...)))
;; Signature-style name: loop.
((let (name binding ...) body ...)
(let-loop name (binding ...) () () (body ...)))
;; defun-style name: loop.
((let name bindings body ...)
(let-loop name bindings () () (body ...)))))
(define-syntax let-loop
(syntax-rules ()
;; Standard binding: destructure and loop.
((let-loop name ((var0 val0) binding ...) (var ... ) (val ... ) body)
(let-loop name ( binding ...) (var ... var0) (val ... val0) body))
;; Rest binding, no name: use standard-let, listing the rest values.
;; Because of let's first clause, there is no "no bindings, no name" clause.
((let-loop #f (rest-var rest-val ...) (var ...) (val ...) body)
(standard-let ((var val) ... (rest-var (list rest-val ...))) . body))
;; Or call a lambda with a rest parameter on all values.
;; ((lambda (var ... . rest-var) . body) val ... rest-val ...))
;; Or use one of several other reasonable alternatives.
;; No bindings, name: call a letrec'ed lambda.
((let-loop name () (var ...) (val ...) body)
((letrec ((name (lambda (var ...) . body)))
name)
val ...))
;; Rest binding, name: call a letrec'ed lambda.
((let-loop name (rest-var rest-val ...) (var ...) (val ...) body)
((letrec ((name (lambda (var ... . rest-var) . body)))
name)
val ... rest-val ...))))
Copyright (C) Andy Gaynor (1999). All Rights Reserved.
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