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Re: Do we need a When function?

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• Subject: [mg132469] Re: Do we need a When function?
• From: David Bailey <dave at removedbailey.co.uk>
• Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 05:00:59 -0400 (EDT)
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On 19/03/2014 08:23, Itai Seggev wrote:
> David,
>
> Firstly, I would appreciate it if you didn't quote these tiny fragments of my
> replies, which suggest I didn't already understand/address points you raise
> (or that perhaps you didn't bother to read my email in its entirety).
>
>> On 15/03/2014 07:51, Itai Seggev wrote:
>>> If[NumericQ[x], f[x]]   (*are NumberQ, if want an actual number type*)
>>
>> The difference, which at least Szabolcs appreciates, can be seen in this
>> example:
>>
>> In[3]:= expr = If[NumericQ[x], ToString[x]]
>>
>> In[4]:= expr /. x -> 2.1
>>
>> (* The output here is Null *)
>>
>> In[7]:= SetAttributes[When, HoldAll];
>> When[cond_, val_] := val /; cond
>>
>> In[9]:= expr = When[NumericQ[x], ToString[x]]
>>
>> Out[9]= When[NumericQ[x], ToString[x]]
>>
>> In[10]:= expr /. x -> 2.1
>>
>> Out[10]= "2.1"
>>
>> The effect of When is to delay its evaluation until something is true -
>> which can be quite useful!
>
> But on the other hand you have these behaviors:
>
> In[59]:= ClearAll[When]
> SetAttributes[When, HoldAllComplete];
> When[cond_, val_] := val /; cond
>
> In[62]:= expr = When[NumericQ[x], ToString[x]]
>
> Out[62]= When[NumericQ[x], ToString[x]]
>
> In[64]:= Block[{x = 2.1}, expr ]
>
> Out[64]= When[NumericQ[x], ToString[x]]
>
> In[65]:= x = 2.1; expr
>
> Out[65]= When[NumericQ[x], ToString[x]]
>
> Are these useful?
>
>
>
They are not useful - but I didn't define When with Attribute 
HoldAllComplete, but with HoldAll - so I don't see your point!

David Bailey
http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk

• References:
  • Do we need a When function?
    • From: David Bailey <dave@removedbailey.co.uk>
  • Re: Do we need a When function?
    • From: David Bailey <dave@removedbailey.co.uk>