float/bfloat applied to symbol, was: plot numerical question
Subject: float/bfloat applied to symbol, was: plot numerical question
From: Robert Dodier
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:54:32 -0600
On 3/12/09, Leo Butler <l.butler at ed.ac.uk> wrote:
> I must admit that I am confused by this. If you define
>
> f(s) := block([t:bfloat(s)], sin(t));
>
> then shouldn't maxima evaluate f(s) to be sin(bfloat(s))?
Current behavior is float(s) => s when s is a symbol, likewise bfloat(s) => s.
In the interest of consistency with a lazy evaluation policy,
seems like float(s) should => float(s), likewise bfloat(s) => bfloat(s).
Maxima is admittedly inconsistent about lazy evaluation,
but, I claim, it should be more consistent.
I suppose float(s) => s is a convenience hack, which is never
a compelling motivation, as I see it.
FWIW, & all the best.
Robert Dodier