Re: the difference between \def and \define

[Hans Hagen <pragma@wxs.nl>]

On 4/16/2013 11:10 AM, Thomas A. Schmitz wrote:
> On 04/16/2013 11:05 AM, Marco Patzer wrote:
>> It doesn't make sense to use named parameters with
>> \define, since you explicitly pass the parameter*number*  in
>> brackets. You cannot refer to a number by name. Well, you could
>> theoretically, but I'd strongly object.
>
> Just out of curiosity: why would you object? In Lua, we have the syntax
>
> function whatever(one, two, three)
>    do something with(one, two, three)
> end
>
> I'm not lobbying for define to have something similar, I just want to
> point out that it would be in the spirit of convergence between ConTeXt
> and Lua. It certainly isn't an urgent need, but having
>
> \define[one,two,three]
>
> wouldn't be absurd, now would it?

there is a commented blob that implements thinsg like this

\starttext
     \define[2]\whatevera{#1+#2}
     \whatevera{A}{B}
     \define[me][too][2]\whateverb{#1+#2+#3+#4}
     \whateverb[A]{B}{C}
     \whateverb[A][B]{C}{D}
     \define[alpha][beta][gamma][delta]\whateverc{#1+#2+#3+#4}
     \whateverc[P][Q]
\stoptext

but it's just an old idea.

Hans


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