How would you describe an operator which has no fixity? [closed]

Question

Traditionally mathematical operators are either prefix, postfix or infix. All the three forms of notation are equivalent and can be converted from one to another.

Formal systems such as programming languages usually enforce a certain fixity. Most languages are infix, LISP and its derivatives are prefix and concatenative languages are usually postfix.

If a formal system allows an operator to be used as either prefix, postfix or infix depending upon its position relative to its operands how would you describe its fixity?

I was thinking along the lines of "unfix" or "nofix", but I'm not sure which one would be appropriate. I believe "nofix" is more accurate. Unfortunately there's no such word. On the other hand "unfix" means "to unfasten" or "loosen". Clearly not very accurate.

Answer 1

The operator you describe is free-floating. You may call it a fix-free operator, in case you think there is a case for mixing up with floating-point.

In either case, it would be a neologism and you are better off explaining the terminology in detail before use.

Answer 2

I am assuming that by "no fixity" and your explanation that you mean it has no single defined fixity, but rather it has several defined fixity functions.

Therefore, remaining consistent with the latin derivation of the existing words, I propose plurifix. Plura is latin for many or several. (You could also use polyfix, if your not averse to using a Latin-Greek hybrid. Poly- means many in Greek.)

You might also consider omnifix, where omnis is latin for every or all. Use this as an alternative if there are no exceptions. (And panfix might be the LG hybrid.)

Answer 3

Technically speaking, an operator is defined by its fixation; the combination of the symbol and its position relative to the code object(s) being operated on determine the exact operation that must be performed.

The & operator in C/C++ is an example. In prefix position, it is the "reference" operator; as a prefix to a variable identifier, it returns the memory address at which that variable's value is stored. In infix position, it's the "bitwise AND" operator; between two variables of integer type (byte/short/int/long and unsigned variants) it returns an integer representing the "and" join of each of the corresponding bits of the two numbers.

There is no operator I know of in any one strict syntactical language that does the same thing in pre-, post- and in-fix positions; the closest you'd get is the increment/decrement operators (++ and --) and even there their meanings are subtly different in prefix vs postfix (the operation of incrementing is the same; what is returned as the result of the expression is quite different). As such I would say that the question is moot.

Answer 4

Shyam's suggestion of free-floating (in sense “ Capable of free movement; not bound”) seems good, but also consider movable (“Capable of being moved, lifted, carried, drawn, turned, or conveyed, or in any way made to change place or posture; susceptible of motion; not fixed or stationary”) and unfixed (“Not fixated or fixed; moving or changing freely”). For informal use consider footloose (“Tending to travel or do as one pleases”) or loose itself (with the sense “not fixed in place tightly or firmly” rather than “indiscreet” or “free from moral restraint”).