To avoid parsing ambiguity, we must always enclose the Negative Numbers in parenthesis. Suppose when you try to multiply a Number 2 with number -3, you with get following kind of error.
*Main> 2 * -3
<interactive>:26:1:
Precedence parsing error
cannot mix ‘*’ [infixl 7] and prefix `-' [infixl 6] in the same infix expression
If you use expression like `2*-3`, (no spaces between operators), you will get different error message. In this case compiler assumes `*-` as single operator.
*Main> 2*-3
<interactive>:34:2:
Not in scope: ‘*-’
Perhaps you meant one of these:
‘*>’ (imported from Prelude), ‘**’ (imported from Prelude),
‘*’ (imported from Prelude)
To resolve above issue, enclose the Negative number in parenthesis.
*Main> 2 * (-3)
-6
Why to use parenthesis?
Suppose you want to evaluate an expression like ‘function1 -10`, Compiler can understand it in any of two ways.
a. It can assume -10 as an argument to the function function1.
b. It can assume subtract the value (-10) from the function1.
To avoid above kind of problems, negative numbers are always enclosed in parenthesis.
This post first appeared on Java Tutorial : Blog To Learn Java Programming, please read the originial post: here
