Re: HoldForm, TraditionalForm Bug?
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg88743] Re: HoldForm, TraditionalForm Bug?
- From: AES <siegman at stanford.edu>
- Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 06:52:45 -0400 (EDT)
- Organization: Stanford University
- References: <g0902t$kou$1@smc.vnet.net>
In article <g0902t$kou$1 at smc.vnet.net>, "David Park" <djmpark at comcast.net> wrote: > Here is a polynomial. Mathematica rearranges the order of the terms. > > x y - x^3 - 1 > -1 - x^3 + x y > > I would like to display the polynomial without rearranging the order. So I > use a HoldForm. <further input snipped> Sorry, but given previous posts by both of us, have to say that it seems to me you've just provided a perfect example of why even attempting to devise a software system or syntax in which users are supposed to be able to use the same input both for evaluating (computing, calculating) a mathematical expression, and also for displaying (typesetting) the expression in a desired fashion, is an inherently bad idea. And the first several initial responses to your post have simply reinforced the claim that it's an inherently bad idea. And the particular difficulty that's exemplified by this example is only one of multiple reasons why it's a bad idea. Bottom line, at least IMHO: Attempting to create a software app that is simultaneously a top of the line numerical and symbolic computational app, and also a top of the line typesetting and publication app, is an inherently impossible goal, and attempting it ultimately acts to the detriment of both these functions.
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- From: Andrzej Kozlowski <akoz@mimuw.edu.pl>
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- From: "J. McKenzie Alexander" <jalex@lse.ac.uk>
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