Wrapping expressions in parentheses

[Joseph_Seddik]

I'm wondering whether there is a performance or any other advantage in encompassing AppSheet expressions inside an extra, syntactically-redundant pair of parentheses. Does it make interpretation for example faster?

Example:

( FILTER(someTable, IN([value], [list])) )

Thank you!

[WillowMobileSys · Accepted solution]

No.  If anything it would make performance slightly slower because the execution must track the open parenthesis until it finds the corresponding end and then make a decision what to do once found.  More than likely there are optimizations in place that would remove the unnecessary artifacts preventing any negative impact.

[Marc_Dillon · Accepted solution]

I recall Steve once saying that he likes to put parentheses around some of his provided expression solutions, in case the OP would be using it within a larger expression. Simply to avoid any confusion or unnecessary errors.

[WillowMobileSys · Accepted solution]

No.  If anything it would make performance slightly slower because the execution must track the open parenthesis until it finds the corresponding end and then make a decision what to do once found.  More than likely there are optimizations in place that would remove the unnecessary artifacts preventing any negative impact.

[Joseph_Seddik]

Thanks John! The reason I asked is that I've seen some prominent members infrequently write AppSheet expressions wrapped in an extra pair of parentheses. I related to other languages where expressions are interpreted as binary trees and such wrapping would actually be useful, and thought that the underlying logic of AppSheet might be doing something similar. 

However, apparently it is not the case here, so thank you!

[Marc_Dillon · Accepted solution]

I recall Steve once saying that he likes to put parentheses around some of his provided expression solutions, in case the OP would be using it within a larger expression. Simply to avoid any confusion or unnecessary errors.

[Joseph_Seddik]

Thanks Marc, that's clever 🙂

[Steve · Accepted solution]

Redundant parentheses should (should! assuming AppSheet is implemented like most interpreters (which isn't a given)) have no effect at all on the app. I use them merely to improve clarity.

[Joseph_Seddik]

Such dedication 🙂 thank you @Steve !