K4 is the implementation language of q, kdb is the database part of the language. Most q is just named utility functions written in K4. There isn't really much

K4 is the implementation language of q, kdb is the database part of the language. Most q is just named utility functions written in K4. There isn't really much difference in what the machine does with them under the covers, but when stuck on a problem talking about q is more likely to get help than k. You can provide up to 8 named inputs in a function definition. q example for running sum of 8 inputs: q)f:{[a;b;c;d;e;f;g;h]sums a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h} same in K4: q)\ f:{[a;b;c;d;e;f;g;h]+\a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h}