UnaryExpr

Negate numerical value of an expression.

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Related Syntax Constructs

The following construct(s) refer to this construct:


Syntax

UnaryExpr

graphics/UnaryExpr.png

Expr

Description

A UnaryExpr consists of the unary operator and an expression. The expression is atomized so that it is either a single atomic value or an empty sequence. If it is an empty sequence, the result of the operation is also an empty sequence.

The unary operator has higher precedence than binary operators.

Examples

  • An atomic integer value:

    - 3

    This is different from -3, since that is interpreted as a single atomic value, while - 3 is parsed as a unary expression. Effectively, both expressions yield the negative integer value -3.

  • Change the sign of the numeric value -3:

    -(-3)
  • Subtract the year of birth of each patient from 2004 and change it to a negative value:

    for $a in input()/patient/born
    return -(2004 - $a)