rsc3/doc-schelp/HelpSource/Reference/Key-Value-Pairs.schelp

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2022-08-24 13:53:18 +00:00
title:: Key Value Pairs
summary:: An interface for translating between three common data structures: Dictionaries, Arrays of Associations and of Pairs
categories:: Collections, Interfaces
related::Classes/IdentityDictionary, Classes/Array, Classes/Association
SECTION::Motivation
There are three very similar ways to represent maps between keys and values, each of which have a specific purpose:
TABLE::
## key value pairs || common representation of arguments || code::[\freq, 452, \amp, 0.2]::
## collections of associations || ordering, array and collection methods || code::[0 -> [1, 2, 3], 1 -> [2, 1]]::
## dictionaries: fast lookup || event compatibility || code::(instrument: \sine, freq: 561)::
::
To make it easy to translate between these purposes and representations, there is a uniform set of methods:
TABLE::
##code::asPairs:: || returns an array of key value pairs
##code::asAssociations:: || returns an array of associations
##code::asDict:: || returns an IdentityDictionary
::
EXAMPLES::
CODE::
// the following all return [\freq, 452, \amp, 0.2]
[\freq, 452, \amp, 0.2].asPairs
[\freq -> 452, \amp -> 0.2].asPairs
(freq: 452, amp: 0.2).asPairs
// the following all return [\freq -> 452, \amp -> 0.2]
[\freq, 452, \amp, 0.2].asAssociations
[\freq -> 452, \amp -> 0.2].asAssociations
(freq: 452, amp: 0.2).asAssociations
// the following all return (freq: 452, amp: 0.2) or the equivalent IdentityDictionary
[\freq, 452, \amp, 0.2].asDict
[\freq -> 452, \amp -> 0.2].asDict
(freq: 452, amp: 0.2).asDict
::