Finite Groups...infinite disappoinment
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg112228] Finite Groups...infinite disappoinment
- From: magma <maderri2 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2010 07:08:24 -0400 (EDT)
I have just checked some basic info using FiniteGroupData. I was looking for some MultiplicationTable for some groups. Indeed you can get the MultiplicationTable for the Quaternion group without a problem FiniteGroupData["Quaternion", "MultiplicationTable"] but no such luck with many/most other groups. For example: FiniteGroupData["C2", "MultiplicationTable"] and also FiniteGroupData["D4", "MultiplicationTable"] both return Missing[NotAvailable] Consulting the wonderful wizard of W.Alfa you get.... well exactly the same. No MultiplicationTable for either group. Considering that the MultiplicationTable is what makes a group tick, the lack of this info is quite astonishing. Especially after several months/years since first creating these "curated" data. I might also , but I won't, bother you with such minute things as ParticleData. Well...let's just say that many had to postpone their backyard particle accelerators for lack of crucial data in Mathematica. On the other end, if you consult the wonderful wizard of W.Alfa on the word "ketchup" you get all you ever wanted to know - and most of what you never dreamt of asking - about the ubiquitous red sauce. So will you join me in the worldwide chorus of people asking the "saucy" question: << Dear WRI, when will you finally "ketch-up" with your curated data? >> PS In truth, W.Alfa is a wonderful dictionary and a great source of nutritional info. You can already get from it the detailed - and correct - recipe for "Tiramisu" (a traditional Italian dessert, which is increasingly getting attention on worldwide dining tables), but typing "caprese salad" still leaves you hungry for more info. Finally if you type "recipe", you will get a mouth-watering half- promise from WRI, which we all hope will be fulfilled in the very near future.