On 2021-06-28 2:17 a.m., Anthony Clayden wrote:
Prolog syntax has lists, signalled by `[ ]`: [], [1], [2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [[7, 8], [9, 10, 11]] are all valid list literals. For cons it also uses `[ ]` syntax
elem x [y | ys ] = ...
`[ x, y, z | zs ]` is also valid; pattern match or build a list with at least 3 elements, where `zs` is the tail -- 4th element onwards (if any). That structure is particularly ugly in Haskell syntax.
Prolog list syntax is the annoying one to me because it is watered down Hungarian notation again but with symbols instead of letters. "If it's a string, prefix with sz; if it's a list, surround with []". The logical conclusion of "elem : list" is e1 : e2 : e3 : e4 : list without needing a 2nd notation to make it nicer. The logical conclusion of "[elem | list]" is [e1 | [e2 | [e3 | [e4 | list]]]] That's not nice. That explains why someone had to invent a 2nd notation, [e1, e2, e3, e4 | list]. Ironically, the need for a 2nd notation proves that the original "[elem | list]" design was ill-conceived.