Literals

A literal writes a value directly in code. It does not call another name. 42, "ready", [1, 2], and { port := 8080 } are literals.

let port := 8080;
let label := "ready";
let enabled : Bool := .True;
label;

Scalar values

Use scalar values for one small value. Bool values are data constructors, not lowercase keywords.

Boolean values are often produced by checks. Write the check that proves the value, such as port > 0, when the rule matters. Use .True and .False when the value itself is the point.

Structured literals

Arrays keep ordered values. Records keep named fields. Tuples keep a fixed group where position is the point.

let values := [1, 2, 3];
let point := { x := 3, y := 4 };
let pair := ("port", 8080);
let unit := ();

A record field uses := because the field receives a value. A later field can use spread to copy another record, then replace one field.

let securePoint := { ...point, secure := 0 = 0 };

Data constructors

Constructors for data variants start with a dot. The variant name is the literal-like part; the data type gives it meaning.

let Port := data {
  | Configured(Int)
  | Default
};

let configured : Port := .Configured(8080);
let fallback : Port := .Default;

Use constructors when the value has a closed set of shapes. Use records when field names are the important shape.

Syntax literals

Syntax values use quote when code itself is the data.

let label := "port";
let generated := quote (x + #(delta));

Keep literal-heavy code readable: give a name to a value when the number, text, or shape has business meaning.