RE: init.m on IBM
- To: mathgroup@smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg11268] RE: [mg11201] init.m on IBM
- From: jmt <jmthomas@cybercable.tm.fr>
- Date: Wed, 4 Mar 1998 01:39:25 -0500
- Organization: TeA
Why do you open init.m files with Mathematica? Notepad is just what you need, as far as these files aren't very difficult to understand. Opening a file that is not a notebook (.nb extension) with Mathematica makes Mathematica create a notebook, eg untitled3.nb . If you set you cell properties to make a autosave package via initialization cell, this package will be named untitled3.m and not init.m! Renaming a notebook by changing its extension will NOT make it an .m file: the data of the file does not change according to its extension. Using a notebook to make initialization file can sometimes be a good idea, for instance when your init file is quite complicated or when you have to modify it regularly; then handling the entries in the file is easier with the mathematica interface: make a notebook named init.nb with autosave package for initialization cells. Mind the fact that the autosave package will be in the same directory as the notebook. But it is an exception: I suggest you to customize your init files with Notepad. By the way, you mention Mac and IBM. Mac is an architecture and a operating system. IBM is just an architecture. When coming to customization of mathematica, you should mention your operating system. Systems available for IBM architecture are OS2, Microsoft Windows 95 and 98, Microsoft Windows NT (3.5 and 4), Linux and a few more. As far as I know, Mathematica can be handled by MacOs, Microsoft OS, Linux and a few others for other non IBM architectures. Hope this helps, ----------------------------------------------- Jean-Marie THOMAS Conseil et Audit en Ingenierie de Calcul www.cybercable.tm.fr/~jmthomas ------------------------------------------------ -----Message d'origine----- De: Des Penny [SMTP:penny@suu.edu] Date: mardi 3 mars 1998 05:11 A: mathgroup@smc.vnet.net Objet: [mg11201] init.m on IBM Hi: I'm puzzled at the difference between the way saving packages are implemented on the IBM and Mac systems. On the Mac its straightforward. e.g. if I need to change my Kernel "init.m" package, I just open it, make the changes and save. This writes the new file over the old init.m. On the IBM things are alot more awkward: 1. I open init.m. It opens as "untitled.nb" 2. I make the changes. 3. I must also select the cell, and set Cell/Cell Properties/Initialization Cell 4. I must now save the file as "Filename.nb" 5. Shut down Mathematica. 6. Go into the Kerel folder. Trash "init.m". Rename "Filename.nb" as "init.m" Why is there such a difference in the implementation of saving packages on the Mac and IBM. What am I missing on the IBM that would make this process easier. Thanks for your help. Des Penny Physical Science Dept. Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT 84720 Office: (435) 586-7708 FAX: (435) 865-8051 email: penny@suu.edu