dictionary: Set the default scoping syntax to 'slash'

The new optional 'slash' scoping syntax is now the default and provides a more
intuitive and flexible syntax than the previous 'dot' syntax, corresponding to
the common directory/file access syntax used in UNIX, providing support for
reading entries from other dictionary files.

In the 'slash' syntax
    '/' is the scope operator
    '../' is the parent dictionary scope operator
    '!' is the top-level dictionary scope operator

Examples:

    internalField 3.4;

    active
    {
        type            fixedValue;
        value.air       $internalField;
    }

    inactive
    {
        type            anotherFixedValue;

        value           $../active/value.air;
        anotherValue    $!active/value.air;

        sub
        {
            value           $../../active/value.air;
            anotherValue    $!active/value.air;
        }
    }

    "U.*"
    {
        solver GAMG;
    }

    e.air
    {
        $U.air;
    }

    external
    {
        value $testSlashDict2!active/value.air;
    }

    active2
    {
        $testSlashDict2!active;
    }

If there is a part of the keyword before the '!' then this is taken to be the
file name of the dictionary from which the entry will be looked-up using the
part of the keyword after the '!'.  For example given a file testSlashDict containing

    internalField 5.6;

    active
    {
        type            fixedValue;
        value.air       $internalField;
    }

entries from it can be read directly from another file, e.g.

    external
    {
        value $testSlashDict2!active/value.air;
    }

    active2
    {
        $testSlashDict2!active;
    }

    which expands to

    external
    {
        value           5.6;
    }

    active2
    {
        type            fixedValue;
        value.air       5.6;
    }

These examples are provided in applications/test/dictionary.

The the default syntax can be changed from 'slash' to 'dot' in etc/controlDict
to revert to the previous behaviour:

OptimisationSwitches
{
.
.
.
    // Default dictionary scoping syntax
    inputSyntax slash;  // Change to dot for previous behaviour
}

or within a specific dictionary by adding the entry

See applications/test/dictionary/testDotDict.

etc/controlDict

@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ OptimisationSwitches
     stopAtWriteNowSignal        -1;
 
     // Default dictionary scoping syntax
-    inputSyntax dot;
+    inputSyntax slash;
 }
 
 

etc/templates/axisymmetricJet/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

etc/templates/closedVolume/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

etc/templates/closedVolumeRotating/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 // Example configuration:
 // - Cylindrical mesh along z-axis (0 < z < 10)

etc/templates/compressibleInflowOutflow/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

etc/templates/inflowOutflow/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

etc/templates/inflowOutflowRotating/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 // Example configuration:
 // - Cylindrical mesh along z-axis (0 < z < 10)

etc/templates/singleFluidCHT/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/functionEntries/inputSyntaxEntry/inputSyntaxEntry.C

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     | Website:  https://openfoam.org
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2019 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenFOAM Foundation
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Foam::functionEntries::inputSyntaxEntry::inputSyntax
             "inputSyntax"
         )
     )
-  : DOT
+  : SLASH
 );
 
 // Initialise the current dictionary syntax to the default

src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/functionEntries/inputSyntaxEntry/inputSyntaxEntry.H

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     | Website:  https://openfoam.org
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2019 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenFOAM Foundation
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -35,12 +35,13 @@ Description
     The possible input syntax:
       - \par slash      use '/' as the scope operator
                             '../' to go to the parent dictionary
-                        and '!' to go to the top-level dictionary
+                            '!' to go to the top-level dictionary
+
       - \par dot        use '.' as the scope operator
                             '..' to go to the parent dictionary
-                        and ':' to go to the top-level dictionary
+                            ':' to go to the top-level dictionary
 
-    The default dictionary syntax is \c dot but can be changed to \c slash in
+    The default dictionary syntax is \c slash but can be changed to \c dot in
     etc/controlDict
     \verbatim
         OptimisationSwitches
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ Description
             .
             .
             .
-            inputSyntax slash;
+            inputSyntax dot;
         }
     \endverbatim
 

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/T

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      T;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 dimensions      [0 0 0 1 0 0 0];
 

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/U

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      U;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 dimensions      [0 1 -1 0 0 0 0];
 

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/air

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      air;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 dimensions      [0 0 0 0 0 0 0];
 

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/alphat

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      alphat;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 dimensions      [1 -1 -1 0 0 0 0];
 

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/epsilon

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      epsilon;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 dimensions      [0 2 -3 0 0 0 0];
 

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/include/boundaryConditions

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      boundaryConditions;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 wall
 {

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/include/caseSettings

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      caseSettings;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 internalField
 {

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/k

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      k;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 dimensions      [0 2 -2 0 0 0 0];
 

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/nut

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      nut;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 dimensions      [0 2 -1 0 0 0 0];
 

tutorials/combustion/coldEngineFoam/freePiston/0/p

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      p;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 dimensions      [1 -1 -2 0 0 0 0];
 

tutorials/combustion/reactingFoam/RAS/membrane/0/include

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      include;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 sleeve
 {

tutorials/compressible/rhoPimpleFoam/RAS/aerofoilNACA0012/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash
 
 domain
 {

tutorials/compressible/rhoPimpleFoam/RAS/annularThermalMixer/constant/boundaryConditions

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      caseProperties;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 calculated
 {

tutorials/compressible/rhoPimpleFoam/RAS/annularThermalMixer/constant/caseSettings

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      caseSummary;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 innerInlet
 {

tutorials/compressible/rhoPimpleFoam/RAS/annularThermalMixer/constant/dynamicMeshDict

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      dynamicMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 #include "${FOAM_CASE}/constant/caseSettings"
 

tutorials/compressible/rhoSimpleFoam/aerofoilNACA0012/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash
 
 domain
 {

tutorials/heatTransfer/chtMultiRegionFoam/coolingSphere/system/topoSetDict

@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ FoamFile
 }
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 #include "$FOAM_CASE/system/blockMeshDict"
 

tutorials/incompressible/simpleFoam/rotorDisk/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

tutorials/incompressible/simpleFoam/windAroundBuildings/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

tutorials/multiphase/interFoam/RAS/mixerVesselAMI/system/snappyHexMeshDict

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      snappyHexMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 // Which of the steps to run
 castellatedMesh true;

tutorials/multiphase/interFoam/RAS/planingHullW3/system/blockMeshDict.1

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

tutorials/multiphase/interFoam/RAS/planingHullW3/system/blockMeshDict.2

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ FoamFile
     object      blockMeshDict;
 }
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-#inputSyntax slash;
 
 backgroundMesh
 {

tutorials/multiphase/multiphaseEulerFoam/RAS/bubblePipe/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -28,20 +28,20 @@ convertToMeters 1;
 vertices
 (
     (                      0                   0 -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0 -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0 -1)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
 
     (                      0                   0  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0  0)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
 );
 
 blocks
 (
     hex (0 1 3 2 4 5 7 6)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.lengthCells $:backgroundMesh.rAcells 1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/lengthCells $!backgroundMesh/rAcells 1)
     simpleGrading (1 0.5 1)
 
 );

tutorials/multiphase/multiphaseEulerFoam/RAS/wallBoiling/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -27,20 +27,20 @@ convertToMeters 1;
 vertices
 (
     (                      0                   0 -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0 -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0 -1)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
 
     (                      0                   0  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0  0)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
 );
 
 blocks
 (
     hex (0 1 3 2 4 5 7 6)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.lengthCells $:backgroundMesh.rAcells 1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/lengthCells $!backgroundMesh/rAcells 1)
     simpleGrading (1 0.5 1)
 
 );

tutorials/multiphase/multiphaseEulerFoam/RAS/wallBoilingIATE/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -27,20 +27,20 @@ convertToMeters 1;
 vertices
 (
     (                      0                   0 -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0 -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0 -1)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
 
     (                      0                   0  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0  0)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
 );
 
 blocks
 (
     hex (0 1 3 2 4 5 7 6)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.lengthCells $:backgroundMesh.rAcells 1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/lengthCells $!backgroundMesh/rAcells 1)
     simpleGrading (1 0.5 1)
 
 );

tutorials/multiphase/multiphaseEulerFoam/RAS/wallBoilingPolydisperse/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -27,20 +27,20 @@ convertToMeters 1;
 vertices
 (
     (                      0                   0 -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0 -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0 -1)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
 
     (                      0                   0  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0  0)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
 );
 
 blocks
 (
     hex (0 1 3 2 4 5 7 6)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.lengthCells $:backgroundMesh.rAcells 1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/lengthCells $!backgroundMesh/rAcells 1)
     simpleGrading (1 0.5 1)
 
 );

tutorials/multiphase/multiphaseEulerFoam/RAS/wallBoilingPolydisperseTwoGroups/system/blockMeshDict

@@ -27,20 +27,20 @@ convertToMeters 1;
 vertices
 (
     (                      0                   0 -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0 -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0 -1)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA -1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA -1)
 
     (                      0                   0  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length                   0  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length                   0  0)
-    (                      0 $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    (                      0 $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.length $:backgroundMesh.rA  0)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/length $!backgroundMesh/rA  0)
 );
 
 blocks
 (
     hex (0 1 3 2 4 5 7 6)
-    ($:backgroundMesh.lengthCells $:backgroundMesh.rAcells 1)
+    ($!backgroundMesh/lengthCells $!backgroundMesh/rAcells 1)
     simpleGrading (1 0.5 1)
 
 );