Expressions

Value-providing syntaxes.

Expressions give back a value to the syntax they're used in. Expressions can be used inside one another, or in effects.

Expressions cannot be standalone - they need to be placed in an effect to be run.

Expressions are like nouns - they have a value and give meaning to the line.

There is a special variety of expressions called properties which have a fixed syntax pattern: [the] thing of %Object% or %Object%'s thing. These are registered slightly differently but have the same behaviour.

Language Rules

1. Expressions should never begin with an input.

2. Expressions should contain some clear, definable word.

Compilation

Expressions will be affected by the current state - the enclosing syntax might specify a SET state, in which the expression should be written to.

Expressions do not have to support all states, but ought to support the common GET and FIND states for obtaining their value.

Expressions should leave their wrapped value on the stack in a retrieval state (GET, FIND, etc.) Expressions should leave nothing on the stack in an action state (DELETE, SET, etc.)

Occasionally, some syntaxes may forcibly override the compile behaviour of an inner expression in order to do something unusual, such as testing or verifying it.