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:= vs = in some function definitions

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg113234] := vs = in some function definitions
• From: Sam Takoy <sam.takoy at yahoo.com>
• Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 04:06:37 -0400 (EDT)

Hi,

Have read everything I could find regarding delayed assignment, I'm 
still not quite sure when to use which.

For example, in the definition

f[x_] = IdentityMatrix[50].Append[Range[1, 49], x];

could there ever be any reason to use :=   ?

It seems that using   :=  will condemn the function to repeated extra 
work every time its called. So could there be a situation where the use 
of ":=" for the above function is recommended?

Many thanks in advance,

Sam