Why the new syntax? When I invented MKR in 1996,
I decided NOT to allow name[char] because it is
not English-like. I have three reasons for
changing my mind. First, it is a convenient
shorthand, and useful for working with lists.
Second, I also want MKR to be UNIX-shell-like,
and modern versions of the UNIX shell include
associative arrays. Third, I am willing to have
some mathematics-like features in MKR.

Here is a brief summary of the new features.
These new forms

Dick[sex] := male;
x := Bob[sex];
Dick[sex] := Bob[sex];

are equivalent to these old forms

Dick has sex=male;
x := Bob has sex=?;
x := Bob has sex=?; Dick has sex=$x;

Here are a couple of examples using lists

x,y isu list of number;
x isall 1,2,3,4,5;
y isall red,blue,green;
z := x[2]; # 2
y[3] := $z; # 2
y[2] := x[-1]; # 5

The last three statements are equivalent to

z := do list member from x,2 done;
do list member od $z to y,3 done;
do list member from x,-1 to y,2 done;

where "list member" is a method supplied
as part of the MKE system.
(See http://rhm.cdepot.net/kb/method.def)


Dick McCullough
knowledge := man do identify od existent done;
knowledge haspart proposition list;
http://rhm.cdepot.net/