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