3
$\begingroup$
In[1]:= Level[1/2,{-1}]
Out[1]= {1/2}

TreeForm[1/2]

enter image description here


In[2]:= Level[1/2,{-1}]
Out[2]= {1/2}

In[3]:= Level[Unevaluated[1/2],{-1}]
Out[3]= {1,2,-1}

In[4]:= 1/2//FullForm
Out[5]//FullForm= Rational[1,2]

Rational[1,2] in TreeForm,but Times[1,Power[2,-1]] when Level.

In[5]:= Level[Unevaluated[1/2],{-1},Heads->True]
Out[5]= {Times,1,Power,2,-1}

How to comprehend this? How to obtain TreeForm[Hold@Unevaluated[1/2]] without Hold and Uevaluated in whole TreeForm's graph or TreeForm@{{{Hold[1/2],b}},b,c} with out hold? enter image description here

And How to get {1,2} from Level[1/2, {-1}]?

$\endgroup$
0

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

There is an evaluation leak in TreeForm that requires a double-Unevaluated to circumvent:

TreeForm[Unevaluated @ Unevaluated[1/2]]

enter image description here

The second question is more troublesome. Because Rational is an atomic object Level does not extract its conceptual sub-parts. This is true of other atomic objects as well:

sa = SparseArray @ Range @ 5;
Level[sa, {-1}]
{SparseArray[<5>,{5}]}

The only thing I can think of is a conversion to held FullForm as follows:

Level[MakeExpression @ ToBoxes @ FullForm[1/2], {-1}]
{1, 2}
Level[MakeExpression @ ToBoxes @ FullForm[sa], {-1}]
{Automatic, 5, 0, 1, 0, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
$\endgroup$
9
  • $\begingroup$ {Numerator[1/2], Denominator[1/2]} seems a more straightforward way to get the parts, unless one insists on using Level $\endgroup$
    – Aky
    May 23, 2013 at 12:19
  • $\begingroup$ @Aky I interpret the question as specifically "insisting on Level" rather than generically splitting a Rational object; I think Rational is only one example. $\endgroup$
    – Mr.Wizard
    May 23, 2013 at 12:22
  • $\begingroup$ @MrWizard That makes sense. When I wrote that, I hadn't realised that your technique could be used with other atomic expressions too. Thanks for clarifying. $\endgroup$
    – Aky
    May 23, 2013 at 12:27
  • $\begingroup$ @MrWizard Is there any advantage to using ToBoxes vs. ToString? (I don't actually know anything about "boxes" yet, but just asking.) $\endgroup$
    – Aky
    May 23, 2013 at 12:28
  • $\begingroup$ @Aky I updated my answer to make that more apparent. I changed from using ToString to ToBoxes because the latter should be more robust: any expression can be represented in Box form while certain things may be changed/lost in the string conversion. $\endgroup$
    – Mr.Wizard
    May 23, 2013 at 12:30

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.