In Mathematica, we can define customized output formats for expressions using the Format function. For example:
In[1]:= Format[_thing] := "a thing"
In[2]:= thing[1, 2, 3]
Out[2]= a thing
Even though thing[1, 2, 3] now displays as a thing, its true form remains unchanged:
In[3]:= thing[1, 2, 3] // FullForm
Out[3]//FullForm= thing[1,2,3]
One might think that the formatted form an expression can be recovered by applying the Format function. Interestingly, this is not the case:
In[4]:= Format[thing[1, 2, 3]] // FullForm
Out[4]//FullForm= Format[thing[1,2,3]]
Format is simply a wrapper that self-evaluates. A more elaborate technique is necessary to obtain an expression's formatted form:
In[5]:= Format[thing[1, 2, 3]] /. FormatValues[thing] // FullForm
Out[5]//FullForm= "a thing"
Notwithstanding the Format[_thing] := ... delayed assignment, we can see that Format has not actually acquired a new definition:
In[6]:= ??Format
Format[expr] prints as the formatted form of expr.
Assigning values to Format[expr] defines print forms for expressions.
Format[expr,form] gives a format for the specified form of output. >>
Attributes[Format]={Protected}It has no definitions at all, in fact. Apparently, assignments to Format are handled in a special manner, tucking the definition away under the FormatValues of a symbol.
