Re: [office-formula] Matrix evaluation

[Eike Rathke <erack@sun.com>]

Hi Patrick,

On Sunday, 2010-01-24 09:55:15 -0500, Patrick Durusau wrote:

>> If the expression is being evaluated in a cell flagged as a being part  
>> of a 'Matrix' (ODF 8.1.3 |table:number-matrix-columns-spanned|):
>>
> under 2) Matrix Evaluation
>
> is correct but it isn't a requirement for matrix evaluation.
>
> That is to say that OpenFormula is defining matrix evaluation for all  
> instances of matrix evaluation and not just those in a cell flagged....
>
> Yes?

Yes. Matrix/array evaluation also occurs if the expression is part of
a ForceArray parameter.

I propose to change that to

"If the expression is evaluated in array context:"

and define when an array context is given, i.e. the cell is flagged
being part of a Matrix or the expression is part of a ForceArray
parameter.

> Which makes the relationship between 2.2, which says it is a  
> generalization of 2.1 even odder.

I don't think so. 2.2 talks about the behavior when a function does not
expect array parameters but evaluation occurs in array mode. The rules
of 2.1 are applied to obtain the elements for each iteration. This is
generalization in the sense of applying the specific matrix/array rules
to functions that do not take array parameters.

> Was it intended to have one matrix evaluation for ODF and another more  
> generally?

No.

> I suspect I need a conference call with the author of this section to  
> sort this out.

He isn't a member of the committee anymore, but I think I can answer
your questions..

  Eike

-- 
Automatic string conversions considered dangerous. They are the GOTO statements
of spreadsheets.  --Robert Weir on the OpenDocument formula subcommittee's list.

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