I have been looking at the question of documenting Axiom's algorithms. Beyond the english description I've been pondering the use of J (an ascii version of APL). J/APL, for those who don't know, is an executable mathematical programming language. Ken Iverson created it as a language for thought. <http://www.jsoftware.com>
A J description of an algorithm has the appeal that it can be very precise and compact. It can also be executed to compare the results with the algorithm. Re-notating the algorithm in J will certain uncover some existing bugs and/or optimizations in the existing work. On the down side, J is "its own subculture", meaning that even less people speak J than speak lisp. In J, the BesselJ function is: BesselJ=: 1 : '(i.0) H. (1+m.)@(_0.25&*)@*: * ^&[EMAIL PROTECTED]: % (!m.)"_' where J0=: 0 BesselJ j1=: 1 BesselJ Has anyone here used the language, besides myself? Tim _______________________________________________ Axiom-math mailing list Axiom-math@nongnu.org http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/axiom-math
