Scoping and named patterns
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg18132] Scoping and named patterns
- From: Dr Dan <drdanw at my-deja.com>
- Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 00:51:38 -0400
- Organization: Deja.com - Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
- Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com
I am having trouble with name conflicts between global symbols and
named patterns.
This example from The Book works fine:
In[1]:= f[a^b] /. f[x : _^n_] -> p[x, n]
Out[1]= p[a^b, b]
But if the symbols used as pattern names have values:
In[3]:= n = 2; x = 3;
f[a^b] /. f[x : _^n_] -> p[x, n]
Out[3]= p[3, 2]
My usual favorite scoping structure, Module, doesn't help:
In[4]:= Module[{x, n}, f[a^b] /. f[x : _^n_] -> p[x, n]]
Out[4]= p[3, 2]
This shows that the global symbol is used as the pattern name and not
the symbol local to the scoping construct:
In[5]:= Module[{x, n}, Clear[x, n]; f[a^b] /. f[x : _^n_] -> p[x, n]]
Out[5]= p[3, 2]
Since local symbols are ignored, it is necessary to use Block:
In[6]:= Block[{x, n}, f[a^b] /. f[x : _^n_] -> p[x, n]]
Out[6]= p[a^b, b]
This looks like a bug to me. If I use a symbol in a local context I
expect the local symbol and never the global. I am a little concerned
that the pattern itself doesn't scope its pattern names, that I can
make one seemingly small change in my notebook and my patterned
replacements begin crashing.
Any comments, or a better workaround than Block?
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