Re: Simple List question. HELP.
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg39413] Re: [mg39389] Simple List question. HELP.
- From: Sseziwa Mukasa <mukasa at jeol.com>
- Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 03:23:08 -0500 (EST)
- Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com
On Thursday, February 13, 2003, at 04:55 AM, Daniel Heneghan wrote:
>
> I am new to Mathematica. This is vexing. All I want to do is create a
> 2-dimensional list so that I can enter x,y values and then plot the
> list. I want to do this programmatically. I am having such incredible
> trouble trying to accomplish this simple task. I know that there is
> probably a Mathematica optimized way to do this, but I and trying to
> write a little program and for now I want to stay with paradigms that I
> am familiar with. Here is what I have been doing.
>
> Create a 2 dimensional list.
> In[532] lst={{}}
> Out[532]= {{}}
>
> Enter the first pair into the first place in the list.
> In[533]:= lst[1]={{0,1}}
>
> Errors and beeps here, but it does seem to record the correct values.
> Set::write: Tag List in {{}}[1] is Protected.
> Out[533]={{0,1}}
>
lst[1] is not the first part of lst, it is a function with the head lst
which evaluates to {{}}. The first part of lst is lst[[1]], note the
double brackets. So you assigned the value to a function not lst.
> Add anoter pair of values.
>
> In[534]:= lst=Append[lst,{{1,2}}]
> Out[534]= {{},{{1,2}}}
> The second pair is OK, but the first pair has been obliterated.
>
See above, the value of lst was not what you thought it was. Nothing
was obliterated.
> Add another pair. Now all subsequent entries are OK, but I still have
> lost the first pair.
> In[535]:= lst=Append[lst,{{2,c}}]
> Out[535]= {{},{{1,2}},{{2,c}}}--
>
>
> What is going on? What are the mysteries of working with lists in
> Mathematica. In any programming language this is simple. I can't grasp
> it in Mathematica. The reason I need to do this is that for the list
> plot I need the x values to start at 0 not 1.
>
There is no mystery just a typo. Incidentally it all your y are just
x+1 then
lst=Table[{i,i+1},{i,0,_}] where _ is your largest value of x is much
more efficient. You can substitute whatever function you wish for y if
one exists. Writing the values in a text file and using ReadList or
just typing the list in explicitly (lst={{0,1},{1,2},{2,c},...}) is
probably more easier and more efficient too.
Regards,
Ssezi