My original comment about equivalence does not satisfactorily settle the
issue, so it is not clear what we agree on. :)
The question remains about evaluation of "expression" in
Sum(expression,i,1,10) before it is put into the lambda ([i],....).
Solve, for example, sometimes evaluates, e.g. if it is an atom. Sometimes it
doesn't.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: maxima-bounces at math.utexas.edu [mailto:maxima-
> bounces at math.utexas.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Dodier
> Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 11:00 AM
> To: Stavros Macrakis
> Cc: maxima at math.utexas.edu
> Subject: Re: [Maxima] Newbie question about quotation
>
> On 12/27/06, Stavros Macrakis <macrakis at alum.mit.edu> wrote:
>
> > > You could say that sum(expression, i, 1, 10) means exactly the
> > > same as my notation with sum(lambda([i],expression),1,10).
> >
> > Yes, I believe this is the correct approach. Things like limit(a,b,c)
> > should be treated as syntactic sugar for limit(lambda([b],a),c). The
> > internal form should actually use the lambda-expression; the form
> > limit(a,b,c) can still be used on output. The advantage of actually
> > using the lambda-expression internally is that we have some hope of
> > processing this consistently across the whole system -- though of
> > course it will take some work.
>
> That makes sense to me. We could hope to treat function arguments
> consistently across sum, integrate, limit, plot2d, etc. I'll be interested
> to see what you come up with.
>
> All the best,
> Robert
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