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Installing packages

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg115637] Installing packages
• From: David Bailey <dave at removedbailey.co.uk>
• Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 05:37:55 -0500 (EST)

A recent query about how to install a package, reminded me of one area 
where Mathematica could definitely be improved.

There is an install menu option, which seems at first sight to be ready 
to install a full package, but it only really installs one file.

What is really needed, is something that will install a ZIP file, or 
better still, a file with another suffix (MP?) that could be created by 
Mathematica. This would eliminate all the guesswork and confusion out of 
creating packages, and installing them.

An installation might sensibly restart the kernel, so that users do not 
puzzle over shadowed symbols if they tried to use the package before it 
was loaded.

Finally, it could optionally run some install-time code in the new 
kernel, which would be useful in more complex packages.

David Bailey
http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk