Sardine Pattern Language

The pattern language is everywhere in Sardine. Everytime you use any of the senders (D(), N(), P() and their lowercase variants), you are likely to encounter it. Sardine automatically turns every argument it receives as a string in an expression that is read using the pattern language:

D('bd', speed=1, legato=2) # speed and legato are using regular Python types
D('b', speed='1|2', legato='1~4') # speed and legato are now patterns (string)

Pattern Object Sardine also has a pattern object. This is useful and required when patterning outside of Senders. Examples would be to pattern the period value in the again() statement, or patterning the clock.tempo value.

See Diving Deeper > Pattern Object.

Patterning - a programming language within

You can't even use a synthesizer or play a note without writing at least one pattern (the initial string). One call to the senders/handlers can result in multiple patterns being interpreted by the Sardine pattern language at once.

Think of it as having a second programming language inside your main programming language.

So, why use the Sardine pattern language?

• It is an efficient way to create change and variety in musical output.
• It saves space, it makes it easier to express complex transformations fast.
• It gives you access to new operators that Python doesn't provide.
• It makes writing lists way easier and less verbose.
• It is the key that unlocks Sardine's expressive potential.
• Patterning is a basic tool available in most livecoding environments.