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Re: variables versus functions

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg28803] Re: variables versus functions
• From: "Paul Lutus" <nospam at nosite.com>
• Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 01:32:55 -0400 (EDT)
• References: <9dld6m$o9g@smc.vnet.net>
• Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com

"Julian Sweet" <jsweet at engineering.ucsb.edu> wrote in message
news:9dld6m$o9g at smc.vnet.net...
> How is it different to define a variable such as A=Cos[x]
> versus a function  A[x_]:=Cos[x] ?

In the first case, x must be predefined:

a = Cos[x]

x = Pi

a

In the second, x doesn't have to be defined at all outside the function:

f[x_] := Cos[x]

f[Pi]

--
Paul Lutus
www.arachnoid.com