Re: CAS for the "masses" (was RE: [Axiom-mail] how to calculate Ricci...)

[C Y]

--- Ondrej Certik <address@hidden> wrote:

> As a simple example - if it is not able to simplify simple powers or
> to do a simple limit (see my older emails on that), then it's not for
> me.
> 
> Ondrej

Sure.  Some of that is probably bugs, and some might be more subtle. 
But in theory, if it is mathematically valid than Axiom can probably be
brought to a point where it can be done.  I suspect provisos and
variables with type would be necessary mechanisms, but we aren't there
yet.  Axiom took the approach (in my view the correct one) of being a
strong system first, with convenience being built on top of the strong
foundation.  That approach stands a chance of working in the long term,
but obviously has convenience consequences in the short term.

That's why I think both Maxima and Axiom have a place in the open
source computer algebra world.  Maxima is very much about getting the
job done, and does fairly well.  Axiom is about Doing It Right, and
eventually getting to the point where the more "applied" or "casual"
use modes might be supported as special cases.  Maxima means people
don't have to wait, and Axiom is working on the long term viable
approach.  It's like using a wagon to cross the US vs. building a
railway across it.  Yes, if you only want to cross once and start
farming you can use the wagon, but in the long run the railway will
open up a lot more possibilities and it's worth the extra pain to build
it.

Cheers,
CY


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
The fish are biting. 
Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.
http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/sponsoredsearch_v2.php