functions and the use of {infix notation} x+y is syntactic sugar for function application (+) x y. |
functions and the use of [infix notation]? x+y is syntactic sugar for function application (+) x y. |
Syntactic sugar can be easily translated ("desugared") to produce a program in some simpler "core" syntax. E.g. C's a[i] notation is syntactic sugar for *(a + i). In a (curried) functional language, all operators are really functions and the use of [infix notation]? x+y is syntactic sugar for function application (+) x y.
Alan Perlis once quipped, "Syntactic sugar causes cancer of the semicolon."
Compare candygrammar?, [syntactic salt]?.