Artifact 762ad109cb3ff103feda03219d6fb1c3e1d6d80467195d68547f472f552f19b6:
- File
r36/help/INTRO.TEX
— part of check-in
[152fb3bdbb]
at
2011-10-17 17:58:33
on branch master
— svn:eol-style, svn:executable and line endings for files
in historical/r36 treegit-svn-id: https://svn.code.sf.net/p/reduce-algebra/code/trunk/historical@1480 2bfe0521-f11c-4a00-b80e-6202646ff360 (user: schoepf@users.sourceforge.net, size: 4019) [annotate] [blame] [check-ins using] [more...]
This manual describes the REDUCE symbolic mathematics system. REDUCE has two modes of operation: the algebraic mode, which deals with polynomials and mathematical functions in a simple procedural syntax, and the symbolic mode, which allows Lisp-like syntax and operations. The commands, declarations, switches and operators available in algebraic-mode REDUCE are arranged in this manual in alphabetical order. Symbols are listed before the letter A. Following the general alphabetical reference section is a similar reference section for the High-Energy Physics operators. After that, you can find several cross-reference sections. The first section contains lists of reserved words and an Instant Function Cross-Reference. Next you will find brief explanations of the common REDUCE error messages. The next section is organized by type into Commands, Declarations, Operators, Switches and Variables, with a brief listing for each operation. For a general introduction to using algebraic-mode REDUCE, see the {\em REDUCE User's Guide}, which also contains information on symbolic mode. The {\em The Standard Lisp Report} is a technical reference on REDUCE's Lisp language. The following symbols are used to describe syntax in this manual: \begin{verbatim} This font means you must type an item exactly as you see it. \end{verbatim} {\em This font indicates a descriptive name for a type of REDUCE expression. You may choose any REDUCE expression of the appropriate type.} \begin{description} \item[\meta{\{\}}] Braces surround an item or set of items that may be followed by an asterisk or plus. Do not type the braces. \item[\meta{*}] An italic asterisk indicates that the preceding item may be repeated zero or more times. Do not type the asterisk. It does not indicate multiplication. \item[\meta{+}] An italic plus indicates that the preceding item must appear once, and may be repeated one or more times. Do not type the plus. It does not indicate addition. \item[\meta{\&option(...)}] \meta{\&option} indicates that the parameters that follow are optional. \meta{\&options} indicates that options are available and explained in the text below the command line. \meta{\&option(s)} is not to be typed. \end{description} The switch settings for REDUCE in the examples in this manual are assumed to be the default settings, unless specifically given otherwise. See the cross-reference section \meta{Switches} in the back of this volume. The examples in this manual should exactly reproduce the results you get by typing in the statements given. Any non-default switch settings are shown. Be sure that the variables or operators used have no prior definition by using the \name{clear} command. The numbered line prompts have generally been left out. You can find executable files of all the examples shown here in your \name{\$reduce/refex} directory, named alphabetically. If you are working your way through this manual, you can run the examples as you go by starting a new REDUCE session, and entering the command, for example: \begin{verbatim} in "$reduce/refex/a-ex"; \end{verbatim} There are numerous pauses in the files so that you can enter your own examples and commands. If you change any switch settings or assign values to variables in one of the pauses, make sure to restore everything to its original state before you continue the file (see the entry under \name{CLEAR} if you need help in clearing variables and operators). REDUCE converts all input to upper case, and all its responses are in upper case. You can type input in upper case, lower case, or mixed, as you wish. In the examples, the input is lower case, and REDUCE's responses are shown in upper case. This protocol makes it easy to distinguish input from results. You can tell whether you are in algebraic or symbolic mode by looking at the numbered prompt statement REDUCE gives you: the algebraic prompt contains a colon (\name{:}), while the symbolic prompt contains an asterisk (\name{*}).