Re: Drawing curves with equation.
- To: mathgroup@smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg11405] Re: Drawing curves with equation.
- From: Allan Hayes <hay@haystack.demon.co.uk>
- Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 20:13:25 -0500
- References: <6dqqie$rk6@smc.vnet.net>
Olivier Gilloire wrote: > I'm a c++ programmer, and I would like to learn how to draw a curve > corresponding to an equation, given in a string format like "x^2". > > My problem is not how to draw the curve, but rather how to analyze the > string and interpret it as a mathematic equation. > > code samples are welcome !! Olivier: In[1]:= expr = ToExpression["x^2"] Out[1]= 2 x In[2]:= Plot[expr, {x,-1,1}] Mathematica has many string manipulation functions that you might use before converting to an expression In[3]:= ?*String* >From In[3]:= DisplayString StringLength InputString StringMatchQ InString StringPosition RepeatedString StringQ ShowStringCharacters StringReplace String StringReplacePart StringBreak StringReverse StringByteCount StringSkeleton StringDrop StringTake StringForm StringToStream StringInsert ToString StringJoin WriteString We can avoid extra definitions: Plot[ToExpression["x^2"],{x,-1,1}] Plot[Evaluate[ToExpression["x^2"]],{x,-1,1}] (the latter is more efficient - it does the conversion to expression before numerical evaluation at sample points, the former converts for each such calculation) -- Allan Hayes Training and Consulting Leicester, UK hay@haystack.demon.co.uk http://www.haystack.demon.co.uk voice: +44 (0)116 271 4198 fax: +44 (0)116 271 8642