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Re: Set::setps error? Twitter.m's OOP-like approach?

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg104927] Re: Set::setps error? Twitter.m's OOP-like approach?
• From: Erik Max Francis <max at alcyone.com>
• Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:56:34 -0500 (EST)
• References: <200911030757.CAA01654@smc.vnet.net> <hcr7ps$8th$1@smc.vnet.net> <200911101103.GAA19964@smc.vnet.net> <hde08p$spv$1@smc.vnet.net>

Daniel Lichtblau wrote:
> Erik Max Francis wrote:
>> The context I mentioned above is a tensor library where you don't really 
>> want to see the components of the tensor unless you specifically ask for 
>> it -- a 4-dimensional Riemann tensor, after all, has 4^4 components -- 
>> but instead you just want to specify a set of coordinates, a metric 
>> using those coordinates, and then go to town creating and manipulating 
>> those tensors, then crank out specific calculations based on them.
>>
>> Does that make more sense as being something reasonably Mathematica-ish, 
>> using that approach for type opaqueness?
> 
> Yes. I see no reason not to do that in Mathematica. I won't say it is 
> common, but people do use Mathematica in the way you describe. Often it 
> is for similar reasons: hide the mess, expose the functionality (that 
> may not be an entirely accurate paraphrasing of what you describe, but I 
> think it is not too far from the mark).

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts.

-- 
Erik Max Francis && max at alcyone.com && http://www.alcyone.com/max/
  San Jose, CA, USA && 37 18 N 121 57 W && AIM/Y!M/Skype erikmaxfrancis
   They have rights who dare defend them.
    -- Roger Baldwin

• References:
  • Set::setps error? Twitter.m's OOP-like approach?
    • From: Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com>
  • Re: Set::setps error? Twitter.m's OOP-like approach?
    • From: Erik Max Francis <max@alcyone.com>