Re: [Help-smalltalk] Creating an array

[Stephen Woolerton]

> [quote]
> There is a shorthand for describing the messages you send to objects. 
> You just run the message names together. So we would say that our 
> array accepts both the at: and at:put: messages.[/quote]
>
> Given:
>
> x := Array new: 20
> x at: 1 put: 99
>
> What would be the shortcut syntax for this array assignment? Or am I 
> misunderstanding what I quoted above??  TIA...
>
> Duke
I think the quote you've referenced is just describing how messages are 
communicated. For example: shorthand for other messages that Array 
accepts are 'printOn: aStream' and 'replaceFrom: start to: stop with: 
byteArray startingAt: replaceStart'.

What I think you want to know is how to create an array with a shortcut 
syntax...

If at the time the array is created, the elements of the array are 
already known, then there is a shortcut syntax:
x := { 99. } will create an array of size 1 as per your example above.

x := { 'abc'. 1. 2. 'abcd'. } will create an array of size 3 and is 
equivalent to
x := Array with: 'abc' with: 1 with: 2 with: 'abcd'.       (you can only 
create arrays with a max of five items using this syntax)

Arrays are of fixed size. If you want a variable size collection, use 
OrderedCollection

y := x asOrderedCollection.
y := y add: 5; yourself.
y := { 'abc'. 1. 2. 'abcd'. } asOrderedCollection.
y := (OrderedCollection new) add: 1; add: 2; yourself.

Stephen