Re: := vs = in some function definitions
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg113260] Re: := vs = in some function definitions
- From: David Bailey <dave at removedbailey.co.uk>
- Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 07:01:20 -0400 (EDT)
- References: <i9m7u7$j41$1@smc.vnet.net>
On 20/10/10 09:06, Sam Takoy wrote: > Hi, > > Have read everything I could find regarding delayed assignment, I'm > still not quite sure when to use which. > > For example, in the definition > > f[x_] = IdentityMatrix[50].Append[Range[1, 49], x]; > > could there ever be any reason to use := ? > > It seems that using := will condemn the function to repeated extra > work every time its called. So could there be a situation where the use > of ":=" for the above function is recommended? > > Many thanks in advance, > > Sam > It is not always the case that letting the RHS of a function definition pre-evaluate (by using =) will be free of problems. Consider, for example: f[x_] = Expand[x] Here the Expand function will evaluate immediately, and find nothing to do - leaving your function f as the Identity function! In general, defining a function with = is not usually very helpful in speeding up code, and you always have to look for traps such as the above, so I would avoid it unless you actually need pre-evaluation for some reason. David Bailey http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk