=/ pins a named value (a face) into the subject for the lines below it.

name=value optionally declares the type.

=/(a 3 (add a a)) is 6.

:* makes a tuple of many elements, nesting to the right.

:*(1 2 3) is [1 2 3].

irregular forms:

[a b c d] is :*(a b c d)

^= 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.