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RE: init.m on IBM



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





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