updating Maxima (was Re: bug or not about plot2d([parametric, ...)

The Macsyma system on PDP-6 and PDP-10 (circa 1968-74)  operated this way:
on system startup, an initialization and patch file was read in.  Small 
patches to code
were put in that file to avoid the time-consuming task of making a new 
version. The
patch file could also load in other files (e.g. fasl or .o) if necessary.
It was also useful to try out fixes to bugs.

Unfortunately, with distributed systems with different base lisps this 
become more difficult to
implement.  If you only did one operating system, one lisp,  and assumed 
some writable directory,
it might be relatively easy;  when you start off a maxima, fork a 
process to check for a new patch file.
Or do it once a week.  Or register users and email them reminders that 
there is a new maxima
or maxima patch file.


 

Raymond Toy wrote:
> Barton Willis wrote:
>   
>> -----maxima-bounces at math.utexas.edu wrote: -----
>>
>>   
>>     
>>>>  ... It would be nice that 5.18 be released with that bug fixed.
>>>>       
>>>>         
>> Also, it would be nice if Maxima could search for updates and
>> optionally install them. Some code (macros) couldn't be easily
>> updated, but most (maybe all) the code in share could be, I think.
>>     
> An interesting idea.  And since we're using Lisp, it would pretty easy
> to update fairly large parts of the core functionality by just
> downloading and loading the update into the running maxima.
>
> I have no idea how to handle this in practice though.
>
> Ray
>
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