--- Raymond Toy <toy@rtp.ericsson.se> wrote:
>
> I think this has come up before (in some other thread that I can't
> remember), but I'd like to raise it again in it's own thread.
>
> Currently, the share directory has lots of subdirectories with files
> therein. If you want to load something, you actually need to know
> the
> subdirectory that it's in. I find this rather annoying. I'd like to
> be able to say load("coolstuff") and have maxima look in the share
> directory and load it up automatically.
>
> There is precedence for this behavior: emacs does this, and CMUCL's
> search-list extension allows you to do this.
>
> Probably not for the upcoming release, but something to think about
> for the next release. Opinions?
>
> Ray
This did come up earlier. Jim raised a concern about files with
duplicate names in subdirectories of a search. I very much agree with
Ray - have maxima find it. Here's what I proposed as a possible way to
handle that problem - I think it got lost in email limbo land (as usual
I'm not sure how difficult what I'm proposing would be to impliment.)
The main arguement against specifying the directory (as far as I can
tell, anyway) is the extra typing needed. This sounds like a trivial
concern, but it will signficantly impact the usability of the system in
the eyes of users. There is another way things can be worked:
Have the system scan the subdirectories, and in the case of two or more
names which match, present the user with a list. Something like this
(simulated session):
Maxima 5.9.0pre-cvs (with enhancements by W. Schelter).
Licensed under the GNU Public License (see file COPYING)
(C1) load("diffeq.mac");
Multiple matches found for filename "diffeq.mac"
Select the package you want to use:
1) diffequations/diffeq.mac
2) graphics/diffeq.mac
3) numer/diffeq.mac
3
(D1) /usr/local/share/maxima/5.9.0pre-cvs/share/numeric/diffeq.mac
(C2)
Would that work?
CY
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