LLAMA Syntax - Help Using the Rule Editor

LLAMA Syntax Help:

Using the Rule Editor

The Rule Editor looks something like the following (the exact look and feel of the Rule Editor may vary from computer to computer):

At the top of the Rule Editor are the Delete and Edit buttons. Just below them is the Pick List, and below that are the LHS Entry Field and the RHS Entry Field. At the bottom of the Rule Editor is the Add button.

Adding Rules

To add a Rule, first click on the LHS Entry Field and enter the category that is on the left-hand-side of the rule. Then, click on the RHS Entry Field and enter the categories that are on the right-hand-side of the rule. When you have entered both sides of the rule, simply click on the Add button to add it to the list.

The LHS Entry Field behaves just like the Entry Field in the Category Editor. Specifically, you can't type spaces in the Entry Field, you can delete the character to the left of the cursor using the Backspace key, and you can delete the character to the right of the cursor using the Delete key. You can also add bar levels to a category with the up arrow key and subtract them with the down arrow key.

The RHS Entry Field allows you to enter multiple categories at a time, separated by spaces. However, you can only enter one space between each category. You can delete the character to the left of the cursor using the Backspace key unless it is a space. To delete the space between two categories you must first delete the category to the right of the space. The Delete key also won't work on spaces (This prevents you from accidentally combining two categories.) Again, you can and subtract bars using the up and down arrow keys; only the category being "touched" by the cursor will be changed.

If the right-hand-side is wider than the RHS Entry Field, it will scroll automatically. You can then scroll back and forth using the right and left arrow keys.

Deleting Rules

To delete a Rule, first select it (from the Pick List) by clicking on it once. This will highlight the selected Rule. Then, click on the Delete button once. (The next Rule in the list will then be highlighted.)

Editing Rules

To edit a rule, first select it (from the Pick List) by clicking on it once. This will highlight the selected rule. Then, click on the Edit button once. This will remove the rule from the list and place its left-hand-side in the LHS Entry Field and its right-hand-side in the RHS Entry Field. You can then make whatever changes you would like. When you are done making the changes, click on the Add button to put the edited rule back in the list.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a couple of tips that will help you make better use of the Rule Editor:

The Tab key will move you back and forth between the LHS Entry Field, the RHS Entry Field and the Add button. (Shift-Tab will move you the other way.)
You can delete the contents of either Entry Field by double-clicking in it with your mouse.
Sometimes there are restrictions on the Categories that you can use. In these cases, invalid Categories will be shown in purple. You will not be able to add rules with invalid Categories to the lexicon. But if the Category Editor is enabled, you can add categories there and then use them in a rule.