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AdaScript versus GCC Ada 95

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The computer language that the SparForte shell understands is called AdaScript. Unlike JavaScript, which has no relation to Java, AdaScript is a small subset of the Ada programming language, with additional features related to shell commands and databases.

AdaScript is intended to be "upward compatible" with Ada. AdaScript scripts should run with little difficulty under Ada, but Ada programs may require large changes run under SparForte.

For more information, see Intro / Why It Works.

Language Characteristics

  • Paradigm: imperative/ procedural, scripting, shell, limited reflexive
  • Typing Disciplines: strong typing, type safety, nominative static with optional limited weak and duck typing
  • Appeared: 2001 (Ken O. Burtch)
  • Source Code: GCC Ada, GCC C, Bourne-Again Shell, GCC Make
  • Influenced by: Ada 95, Bourne Shell, SQL and to a minor degree BASIC, PHP, Python
  • Usual File Extensions: .sp, .bush

Terminology

Here are some common terms used in the reference.

Access type - a "handle" or extended pointer to a storage location.

Actual Parameter - the name of the parameter to a subprogram when it is being called. That is, "put_line( foo );" foo is the actual parameter.

Aggregate - a type with more than one value, like an array or record.

Array - a composite type whose components are all of the same type, where components are selected with indices.

Declaration - a language construct that associates a name with a storage location.

Discrete Type - an integer or enumerated type (including characters).

Discriminant - a parameter of a composite type, like an index to an array.

Elementary Type - a type without components.

Expansion - changing the text of a line using a Bourne $ substitution.

Expression - a calculation using operators, functions, etc. that can be assigned or used as a parameter.

Fixed Point Type - a number with a fixed number of decimal places, often used for currency.

Formal Parameter - the name of the parameter to a subprogram as used inside of a subprogram. That is, the parameter name used when the function is declared.

Limited Type - a type for which assignment is not allowed.

Literal - something you type representing a specific value, not a variable. The number 57 is a numeric literal. The string "hello world" is a string literal.

Package - a "library" or "module". A program unit containing a collection of related items.

Pragma - an interpreter directive

Record Type - a composite types with zero or more named components of various types, where components are selected by name.

Real Type - a fixed point or floating point number.

Scalar Type - a discrete or real type. In AdaScript, a string is also a scalar type.

Tagged Type - a "class"

Task - a "thread"


 
[Right Submenu]

 AdaScript versus GCC

 Case Sensitivity

 Reserved Words

 Comments

 Literals

 Bourne Shell Word Expansions

 Fundamental Types

 User-defined Types

 Enumerated Types

 Arrays

 Records

 Basic Assignment

 The @ and % Operands

 Command Argument Shortcuts

 Redirection and Pipelines

 Command Line Interaction

 Built-in Shell Commands

 The Current Directory

 Database Commands

 Flow of Control

 Other Statements/ Subprograms

 External Commands

 Block Statements and Subprograms

 TCP/IP Sockets

 Numeric Formatting with Put

 Interpreter Directives

 Command Line Options

 Command Reference

 ASCII and Latin_1 Character Sets

 Common Error Messages

 Common PHP Functions and the SparForte Equivalent

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