what is the "best" block structure to code a tree structure?

what is the "best" block structure to code a tree structure?

[Arkady Andrukonis]

Hi,

I would like to find the easiest block structure to represent nested leaves and nodes in a tree structure that works for OCaml. In Common Lisp there is the help of indentation, but I haven't found one for OCaml.

We have one parent node composed of one leaf and a nested node which has  another node with two leaves and a leaf (of the second node). To help illustrate the level of depth we can use numbers 10, 20, and 30.
    (*
-------------------
our type definition
-------------------
    *)
# type tree = Node of tree * tree | Leaf of int;;
    (*
------------
and our tree
------------
    *)
# Node ((Leaf 10), (Node ((Node ((Leaf 20),(Leaf 30))), Leaf 30)));;
-: tree = Node (Leaf 10, Node (Node (Leaf 20, Leaf 30), Leaf 30))

Figuring out the two components to each node and grouping them within parentheses is exceedingly hard for nested nodes without using a block structure. It's great if I can figure this out, but the code is unmaintanable for anyone else. Would you say it is better when written as (I added the periods to prevent email client from removing the whitespace)

Node
..((Leaf 10), (Node
.....((Node ((Leaf 20),
........(Leaf 30))), Leaf 30)));;

or

Node
..((Leaf 10), (Node
................((Node
...................((Leaf 20), (Leaf 30))),
(Leaf 30)));;

or

Node
..((Leaf 10), (Node
................((Node ((Leaf 20), (Leaf 30))),
..............(Leaf 30)));;

I've checked the manual and it recommends using white space for clarity and intent. In symmetrical trees the code is beautiful, not so in asymmetrical ones. Tuareg only helps to match parentheses.

With kindest regards,

kadee


      

Re: [Caml-list] what is the "best" block structure to code a tree structure?

[Jon Harrop]

On Friday 17 April 2009 23:02:43 Arkady Andrukonis wrote:
> Tuareg only helps to match parentheses.

Use ALT+Q to autoindent. One of the major advantages of *not* having 
indentation sensitive syntax (and a PITA in Haskell and F#).

-- 
Dr Jon Harrop, Flying Frog Consultancy Ltd.
http://www.ffconsultancy.com/?e

Re: [Caml-list] what is the "best" block structure to code a tree structure?

[Goswin von Brederlow]

Arkady Andrukonis <grazingcows@yahoo.com> writes:

> Hi,
>
> I would like to find the easiest block structure to represent nested leaves and nodes in a tree structure that works for OCaml. In Common Lisp there is the help of indentation, but I haven't found one for OCaml.
>
> We have one parent node composed of one leaf and a nested node which has  another node with two leaves and a leaf (of the second node). To help illustrate the level of depth we can use numbers 10, 20, and 30.
>     (*
> -------------------
> our type definition
> -------------------
>     *)
> # type tree = Node of tree * tree | Leaf of int;;
>     (*
> ------------
> and our tree
> ------------
>     *)
> # Node ((Leaf 10), (Node ((Node ((Leaf 20),(Leaf 30))), Leaf 30)));;
> -: tree = Node (Leaf 10, Node (Node (Leaf 20, Leaf 30), Leaf 30))

Node ((Leaf 10),
......(Node
.........((Node
.............((Leaf 20),
..............(Leaf 30))),
..........Leaf 30)));;

How about that?

I don't get your numbering though. The 20 is too deep and the second
30 not deep enough imho.

Mfg
        Goswin