§

AKA

AKA ("also known as") gives a function, a value, a type or a section more than one name. Every name refers to the same thing.

Syntax

name AKA alias1, alias2 MEANS expression
DECLARE TypeName AKA Alias HAS ...
DECLARE TypeName AKA Alias IS ...
§ `Section name` AKA alias

Example file:

-- AKA keyword examples

-- Value Aliases

-- Define a value with multiple names
x AKA y, z MEANS TRUE

-- All names evaluate to the same value
#EVAL x
#EVAL y
#EVAL z

-- Type Aliases

-- Create an alias for BOOLEAN
DECLARE B AKA `Yes or no` IS BOOLEAN

-- Use either name in type signatures
GIVETH B
example1 MEANS TRUE

GIVETH `Yes or no`
example2 MEANS FALSE

#EVAL example1
#EVAL example2

-- Record Type with Alias

GIVEN a IS A TYPE
      b IS A TYPE
DECLARE Pair OF a, b AKA `2-tuple`
  HAS
    px IS AN a
    py IS A b

-- Use the primary name
GIVETH Pair OF NUMBER, NUMBER
`first pair` MEANS Pair WITH px IS 3, py IS 5

-- Use the alias
GIVETH `2-tuple` OF NUMBER, NUMBER
`second pair` MEANS Pair WITH px IS 10, py IS 20

#EVAL `first pair`
#EVAL `second pair`

-- Legal Terminology Example

-- Primary legal term with common alias
DECLARE `Authorized Representative` AKA Agent
  HAS
    name IS A STRING
    `licence number` IS A STRING

-- Can construct using either name
DECIDE `the agent` IS `Authorized Representative` WITH
  name IS "John Smith",
  `licence number` IS "A12345"

-- Access works with both names
#EVAL `the agent`'s name

-- Function with Alias

GIVEN n IS A NUMBER
double AKA twice MEANS n TIMES 2

-- Both names work
#EVAL double 5
#EVAL twice 5

-- Multiple Aliases

GIVEN amount IS A NUMBER
tax AKA VAT, `sales tax`, GST MEANS amount TIMES 0.1

#EVAL tax 100
#EVAL VAT 100
#EVAL `sales tax` 100
#EVAL GST 100

Values

`the borrower` AKA `the debtor` MEANS "Acme Ltd"

#EVAL `the debtor`

Types

A statute and the people who apply it often use different words for the same thing:

DECLARE `Authorised Representative` AKA Agent
  HAS
    name IS A STRING
    `licence number` IS A STRING

GIVEN agent IS AN Agent
GIVETH A STRING
`licence of` agent MEANS agent's `licence number`

A type synonym can have aliases too: DECLARE `Value Added Tax rate` AKA `VAT rate` IS NUMBER.

Sections

An alias on a section heading gives a shorter name for qualified references:

§ `Definitions for Part VII` AKA defs
`taxable income` MEANS 50000

#EVAL defs's `taxable income`

See Syntax and directives: Sections.