2. Punctuator & Delimiter

8. If we human misunderstand without correct punctuation
What makes we think that computer can understand without it?

9. These things may look pretty, but they are not decorative items…
… to be placed anywhere & anytime we want to our whim

10. Example for C++
Mathematica punctuators are different but with similar concepts

12. Square brackets Plot[input], myfunc[input] type myfunc(input)
Sturdy, rigid form
for indication of function
bracketing function input
Plot[input], myfunc[input]
type myfunc(input)
Compared with C/C++
CAPITAL for functions in Mathematica, different from lowercase for keywords and function in C/C++

14. Curly brackets type xarr[3]= {a,b,c} mylist={item1, item2,}
Flexible form
group items, objects together in a list, array
mylist={item1, item2,}
type xarr[3]= {a,b,c}
Compared with C/C++
Graphics[{item1, item2,…}, option]

17. Optional for Mathematica
can be used to group related items
avoid if not useful and potentially confusing with nearby lists

18. The empty refrigerator rule for both [] and {}
If you open a bracket , brace, or parenthesis, like a refrigerator, close it even if it is empty
myfunc[]
Open and close immediately, even if you don’t know what to put inside.
mylist={}
Manipulate[
,{} ]
Graphics[{},]

19. Keyboard habits Highly recommended
Open and close with successive keystrokes using adjacent fingers – with or without shift.
Highly recommended

22. Comma mylist={item1,item2,} Graphics[{item1,item2,…}, option1
A pause, to delimit one item from another
a space in Mathematica is a multiplier *
the wicked comma is morally, ethic'lly, spiritually, physically, positively, absolutely, undeniably reliably needed, and it's not only merely needed, it’s really most sincerely needed.
mylist={item1,item2,}
Graphics[{item1,item2,…}, option1
, option2, …]

23. executable statement or object definition ; executable statement … ;
Manipulate[
executable statement or object definition ;
executable statement … ;
{item1,item2, …}
, option1
, option2
, …]
display output

27. Semicolon
in C/C++, it terminates an executable statement or a declaration
same in Mathematica
never to be confused or mixed up where comma is needed
it is necessary and sufficient in most cases, rarely it is superfluous

28. executable statement or object definition ; executable statement … ;
without it, Mathematica will multiply two statements together
Manipulate[
executable statement or object definition ;
executable statement … ;
{item1,item2,}
, option1
, option2
, …]
display output

30. , (else) If[ condition , (then) executable statement … ; … ];
Curly braces are optional
optional
(C/C++ uses curly braces for block separation)

31. Is it necessary and sufficient?