Vector-valued functions
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg47321] Vector-valued functions
- From: me at my.co (me)
- Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 05:23:00 -0400 (EDT)
- Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com
Hi, Experts !
I often encounter the following situation:
I have a function that creates a list (=vector) as output.
For example:
f[i_,j_,k_]:={a[i,j,k],b[i,j,k],c[i,j,k]}
I have to use, for example, the second part of the vector
in a subsequent expression. When I try that as, for example,
g[i_,j_,k_]=f[i,j,k][[2]]
Mathematica gives the error message 'Part n does not exist'
because f[i,j,k] is indeed not yet evaluated.
What is the best way to I make [[...]] behave like [...] so that it stays
unevaluated unless it can be evaluated ?
I can think of three ways:
- Use functional arguments [...] instead of lists [[...]] alltogether.
- Rename Part[...] into something else so that Mathematica does not complain.
- Make frequent use of Hold[...].
All three ways are a bit ugly, I feel. Which (other) method is preferred ?
I could imagine that this is a rather common question but I found no
discussion about it.
Thank you !
Michael
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