[PD] Finding "$0" and dealing with it in messages

[Hans-Christoph Steiner]

On Nov 25, 2009, at 12:48 AM, Frank Barknecht wrote:

> Hallo,
> Hans-Christoph Steiner hat gesagt: // Hans-Christoph Steiner wrote:
>
>>> Regarding all_about_data_types.pd: Personally I wouldn't trust this
>>> patch.
>>
>>
>> Its a patch with examples, if you don't trust the examples, then that
>> seems to mean you don't trust Pd ;)
>
> To me the fundamental flaw of the data types patch is that it tries  
> to infer
> information about Pd's "data types" from the behaviour of selected  
> objects, but
> doesn't explain the underlying mechanisms.
>
> Single objects unfortunatly often behave inconsistently  or not as  
> one maybe
> would expect (e.g. [route list symbol] strips list- but not symbol- 
> selectors).
> IMO an explanation of the mechanisms is imporant to understand,  
> where or why
> objects behave "strange". all_about_data_types.pd doesn't even use  
> the word
> "selector" anywhere. Instead it talks about "casting" but doesn't  
> explain what
> that means (in the patch it means adding a "symbol"-selector to a  
> meta-message).
> It has several vague sentences in it like: "Many objects cast the  
> data they
> receive when they output it" or "Some objects do not cast the  
> data".  This
> doesn't make me any smarter.
>
> All in all, I don't think, the patch tells you "All About Data  
> Types". But
> maybe it just has a misleading name.

It should be all about data types, but it doesn't doesn't cover  
everything.  Please add to it, its in SVN in doc/pddp.  Those patches  
are there to be improved!

.hc



----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'You people have such restrictive dress for women,’ she said, hobbling  
away in three inch heels and panty hose to finish out another pink- 
collar temp pool day.  - “Hijab Scene #2", by Mohja Kahf