Lists:
In addition to directories, props can also be organized in `lists'. A
list is a group of properties which are handled together in such a way
that they emulate a document or computer file. Lists can be created and
edited with the list editor, command lsedit, syntax
lsedit <object> = <list name> . This is useful
for descriptions that need formatting such as paragraph breaks,
indentations, and so forth. Complex MPI strings can be
stored in a list rather than a property as well, in which case
indentation and other whitespace can be used to make the code more
readable than it would be as one long uninterrupted string. There are
other uses.
====================================
>lsedit here = maindesc
< Welcome to the list editor. You can get help by entering `.h' >
< `.end' will exit and save the list. `.abort' will abort any changes. >
< To save changes to the list, and continue editing, use `.save' >
< Insert at line 1 >
<you type type type some text text text>
> .end
< Editor exited. >
< list saved. >
====================================
Lists are stored as a set of properties sharing the same path name,
and ending with #/<line number> .
====================================
> ex here = maindesc#/
str /maindesc#/1: (a line of text you entered... )
str /maindesc#/2: (another line... )
str /maindesc#/3: (another line... )
(etc)
====================================
The list name can be a path name that includes propdirs. For example,
you could store multiple descs in propdir _descs .
====================================
> lsedit me = _descs/snazzy
<enter your `snazzy' desc>
> .end
> lsedit me = _descs/grungy
<enter your `grungy' desc>
> .end
====================================
(The server, recall, always references the _/de property
for a description. If you write a description with lsedit, you will need
to put an MPI string in this property that tells the server
where to find the description and how to display it.
====================================
> lsedit me = _descs/snazzy
<enter `snazzy' desc... >
> look me
You see nothing special.
> @desc me = {list:_descs/snazzy}
Description set.
> look me
Ooo la la! Today Mistral is modeling the latest from the Spiegal
Catalogue: a gownless evening strap with... (etc etc)
====================================
The MPI string stored in _/de can be made
considerably more elaborate and flexible than the one shown here. (See
Section 3.1 for a more complete discussion of
MPI. )
The syntax for removing a list is @set <object> =
<[path/]list name>#/:
====================================
> @set me = descs/snazzy#/:
Property removed.
====================================
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