Syntax error for optional pattern, but only in debugger

Asked Nov 06 '13 at 23:53

Active Jul 30 '22 at 16:58

Viewed 396 times

This expression (explained here by Leonid) evaluates fine unless Evaluation->Debugger is enabled:

h[x : (_Integer) : 1] := x

Syntax::sntxf: "x:" cannot be followed by "(_Integer):1".
Syntax::tsntxi: "(_Integer):1" is incomplete; more input is needed.
Syntax::sntxi: Incomplete expression; more input is needed .

Strangely it works if the parentheses are removed:

h[x : _Integer : 1] := x

But both of these fail when debugging:

h[x : (_Integer | None) : None] := x
h[x : Alternatives[_Integer, None] : None] := x

(* Workaround: *)
ptn = _Integer | None;
h[x : ptn : None] := x

All this was with Mathematica 8.0.4 Linux

What is the debugger up to?

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:55

Community

asked Nov 06 '13 at 23:53

ssch

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Seems to work OK in Mma 9.0 – Dr. belisarius Nov 07 '13 at 00:14
The obligatory question: what version are you running? – rcollyer Nov 07 '13 at 14:48
@rcollyer "All this was with Mathematica 8.0.4 Linux" :) – ssch Nov 07 '13 at 14:49
Yeah, yeah. I should read the whole thing before I comment. I know, I know. :P – rcollyer Nov 07 '13 at 14:49

Syntax error for optional pattern, but only in debugger

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