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If I have set of commands S1 that describe data types in my language and a set of commands S2 that describe creation of variables:

S1: int, decimal, bool
S2: , = , constant =
The set S3: int , int = , constant int = -- demonstrates what kind of orthogonality?

User Marlan
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Final answer:

The student's question relates to the orthogonality in a programming language, which refers to how constructs can be consistently combined to form language structures. Set S3 illustrates the ability to combine data types and variable assignment commands freely, which indicates a high degree of orthogonality if no unexpected restrictions or behaviors arise.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the orthogonality of a programming language. In computing, orthogonality in a language means that a relatively small set of primitive constructs can be combined in a relatively small number of ways to build the control and data structures of the language. Here, the set S3: int , int = , constant int = demonstrates a language's ability to combine primitive data types and variable assignment commands in different ways that are consistent with its rules of structure. If the language allows you to freely combine these constructs without restriction or unexpected behaviors, it has a high degree of orthogonality.

For example, in the set S3, int denotes an integer data type, and int = might denote the creation of an integer variable with assignment, while constant int = could specify a constant integer variable assignment. The user is able to understand intuitively how these components can be pieced together to create meaningful statements in the language, similar to how we understand and interpret language or how we intuitively grasp mathematical concepts as mentioned in the provided information. Therefore, the degree of orthogonality is reflected in how flexibly and consistently these elements can be composed to form valid constructs

User Gordon Thompson
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