\chapter{Extensions} \label{sec:extensions} There are some extensions for the core language defined in the previous chapters. These extensions add some syntactic sugar, which makes writing programs in \lama a less painful task. \section{Custom Infix Operators} \label{sec:custom_infix} Besides the set of builtin infix operators (see Fig.~\ref{builtin_infixes}) users may define custom infix operators. These operators may be declared at any scope level; when defined at the top level they can be exported as well. However, there are some restrictions regarding the redefinition of builtin infix operators: \begin{itemize} \item redefinitions of builtin infix operators can not be exported; \item the assignment operator "\lstinline|:=|" can not be redefined. \end{itemize} The syntax for infix operator definition is shown on Fig.~\ref{custom_infix_construct}; a custom infix definition must specify exactly two arguments. An associativity and precedence level has to be assigned to each custom infix operator. A precedence level is assigned by specifying at which position, relative to other known infix operators, the operator being defined is inserted. Three kinds of specifications are allowed: at given level, immediately before or immediately after. For example, "\lstinline|at +|" means that the operator is assigned exactly the same level of precedence as "\lstinline|+|"; "\lstinline|after +|" creates a new precedence level immediately \emph{after} that for "\lstinline|+|" (but \emph{before} that for "\lstinline|*|"), and "\lstinline|before *|" has exactly the same effect (provided there were no insertions of precedence levels between those for "\lstinline|+|" and "\lstinline|*|"). When begin inserted at existing precedence level, an infix operator inherits the associativity from that level; hence, only "\lstinline|infix|" keyword can be used for such definitions. When a new level is created, an associativity for this level has to be additionally specified by using corresponding keyword ("\lstinline|infix|" for non-associative levels, "\lstinline|infixr|"~--- for levels with right associativity, and "\lstinline|infixl|"~--- for levels with left associativity). When public infix operators are exported, their relative precedence levels and associativity are exported as well; since not all custom infix definitions may be made public some levels may disappear from the export. For example, let us have the following definitions: \begin{lstlisting} infixl ** before * (x, y) {...} public infixr *** before ** (x, y) {...} \end{lstlisting} Here in the top scope for the compilation unit we have two additional precedence levels: one for the "\lstinline|**|" and another for the "\lstinline|***|". However, as "\lstinline|**|" is not exported its precedence level will be forgotten during the import. Thus, only the precedence level for "\lstinline|***|" will be created during the import as if is was defined at the level "\lstinline|before *|". Respectively, multiple imports of units with custom infix operators will modify the precedence level in the order of their import. For example, if there are two units "\lstinline|A|" and "\lstinline|B|" with declarations "\lstinline|infixl ++ before +|" and "\lstinline|infixl +++ before +|" correspondingly, then importing "\lstinline|B|" after "\lstinline|B|" will result in "\lstinline|++|" having a \emph{lower} precedence, then "\lstinline|+++|". \begin{figure}[t] \[ \begin{array}{rcl} \defterm{infixDefinition} & : & \nonterm{infixHead}\s\term{(}\s\nonterm{functionArguments}\s\term{)}\s\nonterm{functionBody}\\ \defterm{infixHead} & : & [\s\term{public}\s]\s\nonterm{infixity}\s\token{INFIX}\s\nonterm{level}\\ \defterm{infixity} & : & \term{infix}\alt\term{infixl}\alt\term{infixr}\\ \defterm{level} & : & [\s\term{at}\alt\term{before}\alt\term{after}\s]\s\token{INFIX} \end{array} \] \caption{The Syntax for Infix Operator Definition} \label{custom_infix_construct} \end{figure} \section{Lazy Values and Eta-extension} An expression \begin{lstlisting} lazy$\;e$ \end{lstlisting} where $e$~--- a $\nonterm{basicExpression}$~--- is converted into \begin{lstlisting} makeLazy (fun () {$e$}) \end{lstlisting} where "\lstinline|makeLazy|"~--- a function from standard unit "\lstinline|Lazy|" (see Section~\ref{sec:std:lazy}). An import for "\lstinline|Lazy|" is added implicitly. An expression \begin{lstlisting} eta$\;e$ \end{lstlisting} where $e$~--- a $\nonterm{basicExpression}$~--- is converted into \begin{lstlisting} fun ($x$) {$e$ ($x$)}) \end{lstlisting} where "$x$"~--- a fresh variable which does not occur free in "$e$". \section{Dot Notation} A function call \begin{lstlisting} $f$ ($e_1$, ..., $e_k$) \end{lstlisting} where $f$~--- an identifier~--- can be rewritten as \begin{lstlisting} $e_1$.$f$ ($e_2$, ..., $e_k$) \end{lstlisting} In particular, a call to a one-argument function $f (e)$ can be rewritten as $e.f$. \section{Patterns in Function Arguments} Patterns can be used in function argument specification: a declaration \begin{lstlisting} fun f ($p_1$, ..., $p_k$) { e } \end{lstlisting} is equivalent to \begin{lstlisting} fun f ($x_1$, ..., $x_k$) { case $x_1$ of $p_1$ -> case $x_2$ of ... -> e esac esac } \end{lstlisting} where $x_i$~--- fresh variables, not free in $e$.