[PD] expr size() refuses some array names

Hi,

When trying to use [expr size("arrayname")] to get the size of an array, some array names that are legal in Pd will cause (sometimes funny) syntax errors in [expr].

It seems that for example:

• array name cannot start with a number (or a $n) (it can contain a number or dollar in the middle or end)
• array name cannot contain a minus sign ("-") (nor I guess *, + and /)

and maybe other restrictions.

For example:

1. [expr size("$0foo")]

expr: syntax error: 1005foo")

2. [expr size("$1foo")]

expr: syntax error: $1foo")

3. [expr size("foo-bar")]

expr: syntax error: missing '"'

Seems like quotes are not treated quite like one would expect...

Is there a way to work it around, or do you have to restrict array names (of which you're gonna need to know the size) to the typical rules that apply to identifier names in many popular programming languages? (but then, why are quotes needed at all??)

thanks m.