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modifying built-in objects in init.m

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg14130] modifying built-in objects in init.m
• From: sean_ross_at_pl-04m3 at smtpgw1.plk.af.mil
• Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 03:51:46 -0400
• Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com

     I would like to change the Information on a built-in symbol, so
that 
     when I type ?Whatever, it displays a message of my choice.  In 
     general, I might like to override or add to built-in symbols with 
     definitions of my choice.
     
     I opened the Mathematica\3.0\Configuration\Kernel\init.m file as a 
     package and inserted a line:
     
     Function::usage=
       "Function[body] or body& is a pure function. The formal
parameters 
     are # (or #1), #2, etc. Function[x, body] is a pure function with a

     single formal parameter x. Function[{x1, x2, ... }, body] is a pure

     function with a list of formal parameters.
Function[x,body,attributes] 
     is a pure function with a list of attributes.";
     
     
     Then Saved As Special:Package Format
     
     However, this does not change the usage message printed for
?Function.
     
     
     
     Am I in the wrong init.m?
     Is the kernel overwriting my definition?
     How do I get the kernel to recognize my instructions and not
overwrite 
     them?
     The goal here is a general mechanism for customizing built-in
symbols 
     on kernel start up that will happen automatically.
     
     
     Thanks, Sean Ross
     
     Please respond to seanross at worldnet.att.net or rosss at plk.af.mil as
I 
     no longer subscribe to mathuser.