Primitives

DScript's intrinsic functions are called primitives. These are functions that perform basic tasks such as adding numbers, reading files, etc. Primitives also perform complex tasks such as solving numeric integration and linear optimization problems. Primitives are, more properly, the basic building blocks you use to build applications.

There are two types of primitives, operators and functions. Operators are accessed using symbols. For example, the plus symbol (+) is used to add numbers in an expression such as 2+3. Functions are accessed using the function name followed by a list of arguments in parentheses. For example, the expression sqrt(4) calls the square root primitive.

Operators differ from other primitives only in the syntax used to access them. In fact, the expression 2+3 is converted to the internal expression _ADD(2,3) before it is executed. Using the plus symbol to represent the _ADD primitive just makes accessing the primitive more convenient.