Differences between Maxima and Macsyma and GPL vs. commercial version

Richard

Thanks for info.

(1) You mentioned Matlab.... is Maxima deficient in any
    Matlab like functionality as compared to commercial 
    version?  I assume you know of the Matlab clone
    called Octave that is GPL'd?  I presume any deficiencies
    could be fixed by just using Octave code?

(2) Is the Common LISP code of Maxima well written, commented
    and easy to maintain?  In short, is the GPL'd code on
    a firm enough foundation that it is easy for other people to
    learn it, improve on it and keep it evolving along side the
    commercial competitors?


Chris




On Wed, Mar 26, 2003 at 08:33:38AM -0800, Richard Fateman wrote:
> 
> 
> seberino@spawar.navy.mil wrote:
> > Richard,
> > 
> > Hello! I hope all is well with you.
> > Can I ask you a few questions about Maxima?
> > 
> > A few months ago I talked with you about fanciful
> > notions of making a MockMMA type program.  I'm starting
> > to think it would be better to just learn to love
> > Maxima and forget about Mathematica.
> > 
> > I am utterly amazed at the history of Macsyma/Maxima.
> > The fact that it is written in Common Lisp
> > and GPL'd is truly astounding to me.
> > 
> > Here are my questions if you don't mind....
> > 
> > (1) What is difference between Macsyma and Maxima??
> > I think Maxima is a GPL'd port to Common Lisp that
> > competes with other forks of the 30+ year old code right?
> 
> The fork happened about 1982.
> > 
> 
> 
> > And, you mentioned that the commercial version of Maxima
> > added some extras.
> 
> It also fixed bugs.
> 
> > 
> > What is are most valuable things
> > *missing* from the GPL'd version of Maxima?
> There are differing opinions on this.  The most obvious
> difference is the front end, but whole sections of the
> program were re-written, and many new, general "less
> central" commands were added.
> 
> > Does the open source version keep up pretty much?
> 
> That's hard to answer.  For some people using some
> parts of the code they are indistinguishable.  Other
> parts (e.g. Macsyma includes a lot of Matlab, including
> its syntax), they are quite distinct.
> 
> > 
> > In a nutshell, I'm trying to get a feel for how good
> > the GPL'd version of Maxima is relative to the commercial
> > cousins and competitors in the forest.
> 
> It depends on what you are trying to do.
> 
> > 
> > (2) If Macsyma/Maxima is/was the oldest and greatest,
> > then how come Mathematica gets all the press and attention?
> 
> 1. Very good marketing by Stephen Wolfram. (Boy genius revolutionizes
> mathematics, says physicists and NY Times reporter)
> 2. Slick design of front end.
> 3. Timing.
> 
> 
> 
> > Is this another case of slick GUIs and marketing winning
> > over quality like M$ Windows vs. Linux???
> 
> Perhaps, but I think Wolfram's personality and reputation
> helped.
> 
> > 
> > Depending on how you answer (1), I believe we have a serious
> > open source product here that should get more attention.
> > 
> > We don't want youngsters like me naively thinking Mathematica
> > is the one and only choice for symbolic stuff anymore.
> > 
> > I value your feedback.
> > 
> > Sincerely,
> > 
> > Chris
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 

-- 
_______________________________________

Dr. Christian Seberino
SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego
Code 2872
49258 Mills Street, Room 158
San Diego, CA 92152-5385
U.S.A.

Phone: (619) 553-9973
Fax:   (619) 553-6521
Email: seberino@spawar.navy.mil
_______________________________________