# Is there an internal logic behind short form symbols, such as @ (Prefix), @@ (Apply), /@ (Map), /. (ReplaceAll) [closed]

To me, function names (such as Apply and Map) seem more intuitive than their symbols (e.g. @@ and ./@). However, I wish I could internalized what these short form symbols mean and do. (I know that that they are very helpful and could help make my code much more readable.)

So, I was wondering...

Is there an internal logic behind the short forms?

I imagine that they could be related by the meaning of the individual elements (e.g., @, ., /) and the ordering of these elements to build (e.g., @@, /@, /.}.

Here is a list of short forms symbols that seem similar and/or related. (Please feel free to edit and add more)

@   Prefix[]
@@  Apply[]
@@@ Apply[ , , {1}]
/@  Map[]
//@ MapAll[]
/.  ReplaceAll[]
//. ReplaceRepeated[]
//  Postfix[]
~  Infix[]


## closed as primarily opinion-based by m_goldberg, RunnyKine, MarcoB, user9660, Quantum_OliApr 27 '16 at 12:30

Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.