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Diffstat (limited to 'README.md')
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 92 |
1 files changed, 47 insertions, 45 deletions
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ incrementally "build up" a desired computation before it is run. The three core transformation functions are: - `(map! fn gen &rest gens)` makes a new generator by mapping `fn` over other generators -- `(filter! pred gen)` makes a new generator by discarding some elements that +- `(filter! pred gen)` makes a new generator by discarding values that dont satisfy `pred` - `(inflate! fn gen)` The function `fn` should make new generators using the values produced by the generator `gen`. The `inflate!` function combines all those "intermediate" generators into a single generator. Admittedly, the behavior of `inflate!` is difficult to grok by reading a description. @@ -268,6 +268,51 @@ produce constant-memory operations. However, when you consume the generators that the above forms produce, then new memory will be consed during consumption. See the docstrings for both forms for more details. +### A Word Of Warning! + +(Or, there's a reason those forms all end in `!`.) + +You must be cautious when incrementally building up generators. The +reason for caution is that generators cannot be "combined twice", but +you may be tempted to try doing just that. + +I.e.These generators are not functional objects. Combining them with +one other effectively "destroys" them as independent objects, by +marking them as unfit for use in other combining forms. + +[Aside: This was done for efficiency reasons, and I might make a +"purely functional" parallel universe for these generators in the +future.] + +The library tries to help you out by signalling an error whenever you +try to do something that would lead to _mangled memory_. Each +docstring provides details about when error conditions are signalled +for each combining form. Don't quote me on it, but I *think* that the +library will prevent you from making generators with surprising +(i.e. erroneous) behavior. + +Here is an example to show you the illegal behavior: + +``` lisp + +> (let ((ten-times (times 10))) + (zip! ten-times ten-times)) + +; Evaluation aborted on #<SIMPLE-ERROR "~@<The assertion ~S failed~:[.~:; ~ + with ~:*~{~S = ~S~^, ~}.~]~:@>" {10046A61D3}>. + +``` + +The gist is that we tried to zip a generator with itself. Such +behavior is not allowed. Generally speaking, if you pass a generator +to more than one combining form (all forms that end in a `!`), or if +you pass the same generator to such a form twice, then an error will +be raised and new the generator will not be built. + +An ongoing goal is to make those errors nicer to look at so that you +can more easily pin-point where you goofed. + + ### The Fundamental Consumer Finally! Once you have built up your generators using *constructors* @@ -276,7 +321,7 @@ is where *consumers* come in. There is one fundamental consumer, a macro, called `for`. (*Triumphant Horns Play*) -Every other consumer in `GTWIWTG` uses `for` under the good. +Every other consumer in `GTWIWTG` uses `for` under the hood. Here is how it looks when you use it: @@ -372,49 +417,6 @@ letting you not have to think about how generators work. You need only remember the rule: Generators Are Consumed At Most Once. -### A Word Of Warning! - -(Or, there's a reason those forms all end in `!`.) - -You must be cautious when incrementally building up generators. The -reason for caution is that generators cannot be "combined twice", but -you may be tempted to try doing just that. - -I.e.These generators are not functional objects. Combining them with -one other effectively "destroys" them as independent objects, by -marking them as unfit for use in other combining forms. - -[Aside: This was done for efficiency reasons, and I might make a -"purely functional" parallel universe for these generators in the -future.] - -The library tries to help you out by signalling an error whenever you -try to do something that would lead to _mangled memory_. Each -docstring provides details about when error conditions are signalled -for each combining form. Don't quote me on it, but I *think* that the -library will prevent you from making generators with surprising -(i.e. erroneous) behavior. - -Here is an example to show you the illegal behavior: - -``` lisp - -> (let ((ten-times (times 10))) - (zip! ten-times ten-times)) - -; Evaluation aborted on #<SIMPLE-ERROR "~@<The assertion ~S failed~:[.~:; ~ - with ~:*~{~S = ~S~^, ~}.~]~:@>" {10046A61D3}>. - -``` - -The gist is that we tried to zip a generator with itself. Such -behavior is not allowed. Generally speaking, if you pass a generator -to more than one combining form (all forms that end in a `!`), or if -you pass the same generator to such a form twice, then an error will -be raised and new the generator will not be built. - -An ongoing goal is to make those errors nicer to look at so that you -can more easily pin-point where you goofed. ### The Accumulating Consumer |