Phantom Error Messages in v9
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg128978] Phantom Error Messages in v9
- From: James Stein <mathgroup at stein.org>
- Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 05:00:53 -0500 (EST)
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*Mathematica* v9 can produce error messages during the evaluation of the * next* line to be evaluated! Yes, that statement seems nonsensical. Read on: (*Mathematica* v9.0.0.0 running on MacBook Pro with OS X 10.6.8) I have placed a notebook with instructions and code to demonstrate these errors at https://www.dropbox.com/s/3w5e1fb834av5wp/RETURN%20BUG.nb otherwise you may observe them from scratch with these instructions: Enter the following four lines into a new cell: Clear[sum2]; sum2::usage="f[*a,b*] returns *a+b*"; sum2[a_,b_]:=Module[{},a+b]; sum2[1,2] The use of some italics in line 2 is important! 1. Evaluate that cell. the output value, 3, appears; note the number of the Output Cell; if this is the first input cell to be evaluated in your session, then the output cell withh be Out[4]. 2. Double click on "sum2". 3. Press the forward arrow key, 4. Seven error messages now appear! These messages, in the *Messages*window, are: StringMatchQ::strse: String or list of strings expected at position 1 in StringMatchQ[$Failed,sum2*]. >> StringMatchQ::strse: String or list of strings expected at position 1 in StringMatchQ[$Failed,sum2*]. >> StringMatchQ::strse: String or list of strings expected at position 1 in StringMatchQ[$Failed,sum2*]. >> General::stop: Further output of StringMatchQ::strse will be suppressed during this calculation. >> (Then, after a slight pause without user doing anything): The String "f[ The string "FontSlant->"Italic"] The string "FontSlant->"Italic"] You will notice that the first four messages occurred "During evaluation of In[5], despite the fact that there is not yet any Input cell with that number (which you can confirm by clicking in some empty place in the notebook, entering a simple expression (such as 1+1) and evaluating).