Re: digit strings as table indexes

[Jimmie Houchin <jhouchin@...>]

David Given wrote:
> Jimmie Houchin wrote:
> [...]
> > These IDs just seemed like such natural indexes that I didn't want to 
> > have to code around them if I didn't have to.
>
> Do remember to distinguish between a key that's a number (as in table[4]) and
> a string containing digits (as in table["4"]). Both are acceptable, but
> they're different keys.

Yes, I understand. It generally won't be much of an issue since most of 
these are not simple numbers, but aren't valid Names either. But thanks 
for the heads up.

> The . syntax for tables is semantic sugar for using a string key, so
> table.four and table["four"] are equivalent --- but in this case, the thing
> after the . must be a valid keyword, and there are strict rules about that.
> When in doubt, use [] syntax.

Yes. Some of this is simply exploring and learning as I go.

> (Typically, . syntax is only really used for objects and structures. If you're
> using a table as an actual dynamic storage device, it's recommended to use [].)

Absolutely. My program will use things dynamically and thus use [].

But while playing, testing, experimenting in the interpreter I try the 
. syntax for learning.

Thanks for the reply and the education. It helps.

Jimmie