On 5/2/06, Robert Dodier <robert.dodier at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> How about if we change the ordergreatp (eventually channeled
> through GREAT, I think) ordering so that literal numbers are
> greater than declared constants?
Changing ordergreatp would require *very careful analysis* of all code that
examines simplified expressions, including the general simplifier, the
general pattern matcher, etc. etc. This would be a very delicate operation,
especially since much code treats declared constants just like any other
symbols.
On the other hand, changing the ordering in the *display* would be less
dangerous. In theory, it could affect code written in Maxima which uses the
external form -- Part, Map, etc. -- but I would guess that little of that
code depends on the ordering.
-s