Re: Displaying results in a column
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg104988] Re: Displaying results in a column
- From: David Bailey <dave at removedbailey.co.uk>
- Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:49:56 -0500 (EST)
- References: <hdgr97$jeq$1@smc.vnet.net> <hdlk5v$he1$1@smc.vnet.net> <hdomon$91r$1@smc.vnet.net>
AES wrote:
> In article <hdlk5v$he1$1 at smc.vnet.net>,
> David Bailey <dave at removedbailey.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>> {expr1, "\n"expr2, "\n"expr3, "\n"expr4, . . . }
>>>
>>> seems to work just fine (in putting sequential expressions on sequential lines)
>>>
>
>> Note that as written, you are actually multiplying the subsequent
>> expressions by the string "\n"! If one of your expressions happens to
>> evaluate to 1, you will get a surprise! You should use Column, as others
>> have already pointed out.
>
> Haven't tried your surprise yet -- but I was surprised to find that
>
> "\n"expr1a + expr1b and "\n"(expr1a+expr1b)
>
> functioned differently -- and now I understand why.
>
> Is multiplying a general expression by a string ("\n") actually legal
> syntax? (and if not, should my using it have triggered an error
> message?)
>
Multiplications involving strings just don't evaluate - they are not
illegal as such!
The surprise was that some basic rules of arithmetic still get applied,
which would be inconvenient for your intended use:
1 x <string> = <string>
0 x <string> = 0
David Bailey
http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk