Version 7 of data is not abstracted from the language

Updated 2004-06-01 10:55:04

"Data is not abstracted from the language". This phrase from About Tcl and popularity has been echoing on my mind. I sort of understand what it means. But only so much. I can't say I understand it because I still can't see the possibilities it creates. More explanation, examples and lucubrations welcomed.


RS: The language manifests itself in scripts, which are strings.

It is brought to life in commands, which are lists (which are a view on strings).

In data, everything is a string, and many strings can be evaled if they're in the (current) language. Every proc can be reconstructed to be a string with info args, info default, info body. In short: Code is data. Data is code. Everything is possible :)

LES: I understand that. But that still is as far as I could go before I asked my question. I still don't see what ocean of possibilities that wondrous trait could open to me. A little example, perhaps? Anyone?


Category Concept | Category Example |

Arts and crafts of Tcl-Tk programming - is that a category? RS: No - it was the earliest cross-link, categories came later. I still often use when I don't want to think about categories :)