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Re: function definition

• To: mathgroup at christensen.cybernetics.net
• Subject: Re: function definition
• From: wself at viking.emcmt.edu (Will Self)
• Date: Sun, 23 Oct 94 18:08:48 -0600

Concerning defining functions, Richard Mercer writes:

>y_ is considered to be different than x_. This is useful e.g. if you have
>f[x_Rational]:= and f[y_Integer]:=
>as then you can define different behaviors for different inputs, i.e.  
>"overload" the symbol f.

That's not really useful at all.  One can accomplish exactly the
same thing with

f[x_Rational]:= and f[x_Integer]:=

So Richard's explanation doesn't explain anything.  I'm inclined to
go along with the attitude mainly expressed so far on this question--
it really shouldn't work the way it does.  Maybe someone should send
a bug report to Wolfram and see what they reply...

Will Self
Billings, Montana