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Re: Re: Viewing packages in mathematica

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg102781] Re: [mg102755] Re: Viewing packages in mathematica
• From: Murray Eisenberg <murray at math.umass.edu>
• Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:33:33 -0400 (EDT)
• Organization: Mathematics & Statistics, Univ. of Mass./Amherst
• References: <200908230932.FAA02210@smc.vnet.net> <10084375.1251080623042.JavaMail.root@n11> <h6tv7b$drf$1@smc.vnet.net> <200908261143.HAA11440@smc.vnet.net>
• Reply-to: murray at math.umass.edu

I seem to have MUCH more problem with the 95%-on-software-issues when 
using modular software than on Mathematica.  Especially on such software 
that originates from, or is ported from, the *nix world, and most 
especially when the various modules are written by different authors or 
groups. Much of the problem with such modular software is the nightmare 
that appears when one of the modules gets updated.

AES wrote:
> In article <h6tv7b$drf$1 at smc.vnet.net>,
>  "David Park" <djmpark at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> So that is what happens with Mathematica. One wants to work on math, or on
>> some technical project, but one is always sucked down into a morass of
>> undocumented features, and computer science, and guessing. One spends 95% of
>> one's time working on Mathematica problems and 5% actually doing something
>> interesting!
>>
> 
> My God, David!  It seems to me you have suddenly started to sound 
> exactly like me, before I more or less gave up on posting on these 
> issues and tried to get refocused on "actually doing something 
> interesting" myself.
> 
> Let me just say again:  I believe the core lesson in this saga -- or to 
> phrase it differently, the core cause of this disaster -- is the attempt 
> (one might say, if one wanted to be nasty about it, the megalomaniacal 
> attempt) to have one single massive app that will be all things, provide 
> all tools and capabilities, to all users, rather than some kind of much 
> more modular approach.
> 
> Can't be done, has never been done in this field.  Causes all kinds of 
> problems, which get increasingly unsolvable as the basic system gets 
> larger and expands out of control; ultimately suppresses creative 
> innovation rather than enabling it.   Very sad, especially given the 
> massive talent, massive accomplishments, and massive innovations that 
> have now gotten so entrapped in the congealing molasses of Mathematica.
> 

-- 
Murray Eisenberg                     murray at math.umass.edu
Mathematics & Statistics Dept.
Lederle Graduate Research Tower      phone 413 549-1020 (H)
University of Massachusetts                413 545-2859 (W)
710 North Pleasant Street            fax   413 545-1801
Amherst, MA 01003-9305

• References:
  • RE: Re: Viewing packages in mathematica
    • From: "David Park" <djmpark@comcast.net>
  • Re: Viewing packages in mathematica
    • From: AES <siegman@stanford.edu>