Re: Finite Groups...infinite disappoinment
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg112243] Re: Finite Groups...infinite disappoinment
- From: David Bailey <dave at removedbailey.co.uk>
- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2010 04:15:42 -0400 (EDT)
- References: <i5vtnj$6s6$1@smc.vnet.net>
On 05/09/10 12:08, magma wrote: > I have just checked some basic info using FiniteGroupData. > I was looking for some MultiplicationTable for some groups. > > Indeed you can get the MultiplicationTable for the Quaternion group > without a problem > > FiniteGroupData["Quaternion", "MultiplicationTable"] > > but no such luck with many/most other groups. > > For example: > > FiniteGroupData["C2", "MultiplicationTable"] > > and also > > FiniteGroupData["D4", "MultiplicationTable"] > > both return Missing[NotAvailable] > > Consulting the wonderful wizard of W.Alfa you get.... > well exactly the same. > No MultiplicationTable for either group. > Considering that the MultiplicationTable is what makes a group tick, > the lack of this info is quite astonishing. Especially after several > months/years since first creating these "curated" data. > > I might also , but I won't, bother you with such minute things as > ParticleData. Well...let's just say that many had to postpone their > backyard particle accelerators for lack of crucial data in Mathematica. > > On the other end, if you consult the wonderful wizard of W.Alfa on the > word "ketchup" you get all you ever wanted to know - and most of what > you never dreamt of asking - about the ubiquitous red sauce. > > So will you join me in the worldwide chorus of people asking the > "saucy" question: > > << Dear WRI, when will you finally "ketch-up" with your curated data? >>> > > PS > In truth, W.Alfa is a wonderful dictionary and a great source of > nutritional info. You can already get from it the detailed - and > correct - recipe for "Tiramisu" (a traditional Italian dessert, which > is increasingly getting attention on worldwide dining tables), but > typing "caprese salad" still leaves you hungry for more info. > Finally if you type "recipe", you will get a mouth-watering half- > promise from WRI, which we all hope will be fulfilled in the very near > future. > My feeling is that you hit the nail on the head - the idea of curated data over such a broad range is basically not possible. Another such area is chemical information, thus you are rewarded by: ChemicalData["Caffeine"] however ChemicalData["Copper Sulphate"] or ChemicalData["Copper Sulfate"] (I tried both spellings) yielded nothing. Copper sulphate was the first chemical that I tried in my new chemistry set about 50 years ago! David Bailey http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk