sym

Symbols are interned identifiers used for dictionary keys and enum-like values.

Creating Symbols

Literal syntax with surrounding colons:

let s = :my_symbol:

From a string with sym:

let s = sym "my_symbol"
assert_eq $s :my_symbol:

Operations

Equality

Symbols are compared by identity:

assert_eq :foo: :foo:
assert (:foo: != :bar:)

Comparison

Symbols compare lexicographically by name:

assert (:alpha: < :beta:)

Common Uses

Enum-like values:

let status = :ok:
let mode = :verbose:

Dictionary keys:

let d = {}
d[:status:] = "active"