=+ pins a value into the subject, like =/ without a declared type.

=+(a=5 (add a 1)) is 6.

^= binds a name (a face) to a value - the name=value you see in samples and pins.

^=(a 5) is 5, labeled a.

irregular forms:

a=b is ^=(a b)

%: calls a gate with several arguments, gathering them into one sample.

%:(add 2 3) is 5.

irregular forms:

(gate a b c) is %:(gate a b c)

add sums two atoms.

(add 2 3) is 5.