Case sensitivity, line labels and the future

On Tue, 15 Apr 2003, C Y wrote:

> --- Martin RUBEY <rubey@labri.fr> wrote:
> 
> > Axiom is on the way to become THE powerful free CAS, but they are not
> ...
> I agree it looks powerful, but aside from the whole proof based
> approach they seem to want to take, are they really that much more
> capable than us?  
I think yes, but I don't know. I think Richard would know. It might depend
on what you want to do.

> Also, there's no code publicly available yet, as far as I know.
They take a very profound approach (document before release), but there is 
a 'private' archive where you can get the code from. Ask Tim Daly 
(daly@idsi.net) if you're interested.

What do you think about my language/lisp observation? In fact, this was
the point I tried to make...

> > (1b) improve the math. I think there are some 200 math bugs out
> > there.
> 
> I agree, this is the crucial point, but since only a few of us are
> skilled enough to address such bugs this is a fun argument for the rest
> of us ;-).

I don't think the problem is about maths. I think the problem is with 
documenting the maths. I'm absolutely certain you would be able to 
understand how simpsum works, and that you could write it up and share it.

Unfortunately, the rat package is one part of maxima which seems to be 
crucial, and is not easy to understand. So I need to propose two things: 
documentation and clean interfaces. hayat (taylor) does not seem to 
interface correctly, and it fails too. (And I failed to correct the bug, 
 I can cure only the symptom)

The problem I have is that its probably hopeless for me to understand 
*all* of maxima. (also due to lack of time) I do understand bits and 
pieces. It would be much easier if the code would be documented. However 
until there is no policy how to do it, I won't start. Not even with the 
bits I understand. Also there are rumours that there is documentation 
around somewhere, just not really available. Until all that's settled, 
nothing much will change. 

> > (2) Case sensitivity and line labels: I think that user's choice is a
> > good thing, and in my opinion there is a very simple way to achieve 
> > it:
> > 
> > All contributed stuff must be case insensitive and must not use line 
> > labels in order to be accepted. In fact this is very easy to check:
> > when receiving the source, demand that it's all in lower case...
> 
> Agreed, with the possible exception of share packages intended for
> classroom work.

No, no exceptions. Sorry, but capital_* does not convince me.

BTW, didn't Richard post that one of his students downcased maxima as part 
of some project?

Martin