redefining macro as a function?



--- C Y  wrote:

> [...] Anyway, regardless, the point is I'm not proposing
> this just because of the unit code, but because I think
> it is a good idea generally to have this functionality. 

Well, the only rationale offered for changing toplevel-macsyma-eval
is that it would make the units code easier.

> > In particular, I really don't see the
> > need for a units package to replace core functions.
> 
> It has to if, say, the : operator is going to check for dimensional
> consistency for (say) a case like x[time] : 3*sec (valid) and 
> x[time] : 2*m (error). 

Checking assigned values can be accomplished via an
existing mechanism, namely the ASSIGN property, 
which MSET tests for. define_variable can establish the
ASSIGN property, although it is a little clumsy.
About define_variable see "Definitions for Function Definition" at
http://maxima.sf.net/docs/original/maxima_toc.html .

> There are other cases where core code will need updating,
> plot2d and plot3d being definite canditates.

Makes sense to me.  

For what it's worth,
Robert Dodier


		
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