Four types of RPN

[Joe Horn]

Thanks for your excellent analysis of the differences!

However, I disagree that Greek letters are meaningful names. If something is "meaningful," then it's intrinsically full of meaning. It means that the listener can tell, just by hearing the name, what it's the name of. "Algebraic Entry mode" means something. "Textbook Display mode" means something. "Gamma" means nothing to anybody, until after it's explained, which proves that it's not intrinsically meaningful.

IMHO, the names cannot merely refer to the order in which they developed, because that would give no information about what they are, or how they differ. They would have to be explained every time, which kinda defeats the whole reason for having names in the first place.

Aristotle (or one of that crowd) said that a good definition of a thing is a statement of the genus to which it belongs, and its specific difference from the other members of its genus. A name is usually shorter than a definition, but unless the name -- by itself -- makes clear what it's the name of, then it's not a meaningful name. The best names would be something like "Yada yada RPN" where yada yada is the specific difference between that kind of RPN and the others, because such names would be in fact brief definitions... the most meaningful name possible.

With all that in mind, I suggest these names:

Classical n-level RPN
Entry line n-level RPN
Infinite stack RPN

That's 11 possible names (n=4, 5, 8, 64, or 128),

I suggest "Entry line" instead of "Entry" because they ALL are forms of entry, so "entry" by itself is not specific enough. But only the "entry line" models use an entry line. We used to call that a "Command line" (remember the CLI on the Amiga?), but I guess it's called an "entry line" now. The Prime manual and built-in help system call it an "edit line".

Disclaimer: The above are merely my current opinions. I'm always happy to have my opinions replaced by better ones. A mind is a terrible thing to let stagnate with a logjam of stubborn opinions. And don't try to tell me otherwise! :b