Order of elaboration

Even though the order of elaboration is dependent on the priority of operators, it is often convenient to change the order. This can be done by inserting parentheses ( and ) (or BEGIN and END): the formula inside the parentheses is evaluated first. Here are two formulæ which differ only by the insertion of parentheses:

   3 * 4 - 2
   3 *(4 - 2)

The first has the value 10, and the second 6. Parentheses can be nested to any depth.

   REAL a = (3*a3*(xmin+eps1)**2)/4;
   REAL alpha g=(ymax - ymin)/(xmax - xmin);
   INT p=BEGIN 2 * 3**4 % (13-2**3) END - 4.0

It is uncommon to find BEGIN and END in short formulæ. If you use BEGIN at the start of a formula, you must use END to complete it even though these symbols and parentheses are equivalent.


Sian Mountbatten 2012-01-19