The Big Concept Rename

[LeaVerou]

After collection → list, we should think about other concepts that could benefit from renaming. I’ll start:

• Expression → Formula: "Formula" is far more familiar to novice users (as evidenced by the fact that all no-code tools use that)
• Group → Object: We called objects groups initially because we worried "object" may be too technical for novices, but it seems to cause more confusion. For comparison, Coda’s formula language supports objects, and novices don't seem to be having much of an issue.
• MavoScript → ??: There's no scripting in MavoScript — in fact a reactive formula language is the exact opposite of scripting. We should find a different name. Is there any precedent in naming formula languages? It seems that each piece of software supports its own separate formula language and doesn't even name it.

[DmitrySharabin]

Group → Object

Does it mean we'll end up with the object() function instead of group()?

Is there any precedent in naming formula languages?

I can't recall any. However, if someone tries to parse, e.g., Microsoft Excel, formulas, they tend to call it Formula Engine. It doesn't mean that I propose to move from MavoScript to MavoEngine though. Or do I? 😅

[LeaVerou]

Group → Object

Does it mean we'll end up with the object() function instead of group()?

Yes.

Is there any precedent in naming formula languages?

I can't recall any. However, if someone tries to parse, e.g., Microsoft Excel, formulas, they tend to call it Formula Engine. It doesn't mean that I propose to move from MavoScript to MavoEngine though. Or do I? 😅

Well, that means we’ll be the first :) Perhaps we should name it something entirely unrelated to Mavo. E.g. XXXFormula where XXX is something related to its strengths (ease of use, aggregation, etc.). Or some kind of pun with the word "formula", e.g. "Formulike" 😁

[LeaVerou]

A few more ideas:

• formulove
• formulit
• ~formulate~ (not available on npm)
• Zen Formula / Formula Zen
• Phormula
• Formula2 / Formula²
• Formula.next
• Reformula
• Formulation

My favorites are Reformula and Formula² / Formula 2 (especially due to the dual meaning: both "Formulas v2" and a pun with Formula One). What do others think? @karger @DmitrySharabin @adamjanicki2

[DmitrySharabin]

I like (already taken) Formulate and Formula² (for me, it is formula square—something more capable than just formula).

I like that pun with Formula One, too. ☺️

[adamjanicki2]

Yeah I like Formula2 the best. Second choice would be Formulation

[karger]

group could be item. unless that creates confusion with the notion of list item.

I'm trying to understand the exact goals of this module. Is there an effort here to carefully define mavoscript (with it's particular approach to vector arguments, its particular heuristics for interpretation, etc.) and define a compiler for it, or is this a more general formula parser (and if so what makes it different from all the other formula parsers out there)?

if the former then mavoscript seems the obvious name?

[LeaVerou]

group could be item. unless that creates confusion with the notion of list item.

I'm trying to understand the exact goals of this module. Is there an effort here to carefully define mavoscript (with it's particular approach to vector arguments, its particular heuristics for interpretation, etc.) and define a compiler for it, or is this a more general formula parser (and if so what makes it different from all the other formula parsers out there)?

The former, see #1013

if the former then mavoscript seems the obvious name?

See first post.