DeadLetter CL Syntax
Caveat: This is a continuously evolving spec and will change as required.
Conversational Language is a general-purpose interpretive object language. Conceived by DeadLetter to be agile, easy to understand but above all, fast.
While understanding CL syntax has its obvious advantages you don't need to, in-order to explore, play and develop on DeadLetter - although naturally we recommend it!
The syntax mentioned in our walk-throughs and shown elsewhere is explained below.
The syntax mentioned in our walk-throughs and shown elsewhere is explained below.
Preprocessor
Used to ensured objects are included, before executing the Conversation.| * | Required to load (will always try trusted files first then local) before executing next action. |
|---|---|
| dld.keyset | Prompt for Author key evaluation |
| - - | Connect two statements |
| @import | Used to import information |
| CALL - | Call-after function, useful for interpretation |
| $POST | Used to set the deadletter post address in a URL, should always be followed by '@' |
Substitutions
Used to replace 'bulky' attributes and allow fast replacement or alteration at scale.| @ | Substitution for a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) |
|---|---|
| @ID_ | Substitution for DeadLetter's fully qualified domain name (FQDN) |
| $_ word | Substitution for variable object(s). |
| word* | When placed after a word it defines that every value shall be treated as equal (i.e fee & fees) |
| (' ') | The contents is a deadID address, and can be access as an offical DeadLetter resource, by name rather than a fully qualified address |
| Do-ID: | Sets the words (spaces recorded as _ underscores) after the : as your DeadLetter Offical ID |
| [email protected] | Common qualified address, this is used to define the root address (generally reserved for Author Keys) |
| > | Leading into, or to connect natural language |
| = | Equals |
| .GTO | The value is greater than 'x' |
| .LTO | The value is less than 'x' |
Expressions
Expressions are used to aid object interpretation and help denote variables and constants.| { | Contents treated as authoritative, largely reserved for inputs & output strings but not exclusive. |
|---|---|
| ? | Request object or action |
| ^ | Root command |
| // | Used to link a qualified address with a command |
| {!important} | Object(s) are important |
| ' ' | object contained is treated as {!important} |
| trusted_Cnvrstn | Explicit approval statement for linked object |
| denied_Cnvrstn | Explicit denial statement for linked object |
| [email protected] | Denial statement any object resource not explicitly approved |
| /recall | Recall statement |
| /RW | Rewrite an Object, variable statement |
| _VAL | Sets value of object |
| bnd | change status of an object(s) |
| _all | All recursive mentions or actions, where permitted |
| -L | Local object, unsigned by DeadLetter |
| -R | Remote object, Trusted and signed by DeadLetter |
| ^disable_all | When inserted into an Author Key it disables all root commands for connected Conversations |
| .PLL | Used to retrieve, or pull object(s) |
| .DRP | Used to remove/discard or drop object(s) |
| .LST | Used to list object(s) requested, when the execution order is important |
| .OVRIDE | Used to overide an existing object state/interpretation |
Variators
Used to aid explicit interpretation by RI.| C [ ] | Indicates objects contained can be treated as fluid for recursive interpretations |
|---|---|
| C_impress | Prompt for interpretation of object(s), useful to create/manage abstract information |
| C_var( ) | Contents between the parentheses is a variable object (string) |
| C#{ } | Tokenise object(s) |
| inpr_ | Interpretable object comes after |
| var_ | List object variables for following statement |
| var( ) | Contents between the parenthesis is a variable object (string) |
| C_inpr( ) | Interpretable output will post between the parenthesis |
| C_FLUSH | Force an object flush |
| C_PULL | Recall interpretable output |
| C_POST | Post output for isolated interpretation |
Objects
Used to simplify abstract object definition within Libraries & Arrays.| A: | Defines Array |
|---|---|
| OB | Defines object |
| -N | Object name follows, generally object names begin with an underscore |
| CLASS_ | Set object class |
| RUN_ | Executes multiple object strings as one, provided they are authoritative (contained in { }) |
| RECORD_ | Allows for alteration of Object writes (not required to write an object) |
| POST_ | Allows for alteration of Object Posting (not required to post an object) |
| DETECT_STATE | Detect state of objects, in class |
| RECORD_STATE | Records object state to Array |
| HOLD_STATE | Holds object state |
| WING_STATE | Creates a wing (sub-class) of an object(s) | OB [ ] | Defines, value of object contained |
| OB_{ ' ' } | Defines name for an object class |
| OB -- | Object statement follows |
| O_POST | Post object |
Functions
Used to simplify actions, generally not present within a Conversation file.| , | Used as a separator |
|---|---|
| ; | Separates a KC from its sub-routine and action (within a Conversation) |
| ; | Separates a KC from associated object(s) with Libraries |
| $_ | Key Command function attribute, often used for substitution |
Basic Commands
When entered at your input address CL will respond accordingly.| ^RUN | Your connected Conversation will execute immediately, provided all the required information is present |
|---|---|
| ^STOP | Stop all actions being performed |
| ^FLUSH | Force reload of local Conversation file only |
Time
Specific measurements, provided by TIME_UNITS_2019 Library, when included.| T.S | denotes second(s) |
|---|---|
| T.M | denotes minute(s) |
| T.H | denotes hour(s) |
| T.D | denotes day(s) |
| T.W | denotes week(s) |
| T.MM | denotes month(s) |
| T.Y | denotes year(s) |
Terms
| deadID | Publicly accessible URL's to access CL resources |
|---|---|
| CL | Conversational Language |
| AK | Author Key |
| KC | Key Command - primary executables in a Conversation |
| SOR | Secondary Object Resources |
| Conversation health check | Process of evaluating if a Conversation contains errors |
| Live-patching | Process of 'patching' poor code when detected for the Author |
| Technical Advisor | An individual certified to provide technical support by DeadLetter |