Number

---

title: number

sequence number

The sequence number of an object within its context.

This feature is present on objects of type sentence(_atom), clause(_atom), phrase(_atom), word.

Note

This feature does not occur on subphrases. However, SHEBANQ shows subphrase numbering in data view. Subphrases my be nested in intricate ways. Shebanq shows for every word the sequence numbers of the subphrases it belongs to. Subphrases are numbered per containing phrase.

Numbering starts with 1. The manner of numbering objects differs per object type:

type	numbering
phrase_atom	within the book
clause_atom	within the book
sentence_atom	within the book
word	within the book
phrase	within the clause
clause	within the sentence
sentence	within the chapter

Note

An explanation of the rationale behind these numbering schemes would be helpful.

As you can see, this feature can be used to find the first or second or third phrase in a clause or clause in a sentence. However, it is not obvious how to specify the first word in a phrase with the help of the number feature. But if you are in the business of MQL query writing, there is a better way.

Hint

The MQL language contains the keyword FIRST by which you can indicate that you mean the first object in its context. The use of it is nicely demonstrated in this query on SHEBANQ by Reinoud Oosting. The query is also a beautiful example of establishing whether an anomalous pattern is really exceptional or occurs more often. For more info about what you can say in MQL, consult the well-written reference manual by the implementor of MQL, Ulrik Petersen.

Hint

You can compute distances between atoms by subtracting their number features.