On Wed, 15 Mar 2000, Uwe Amann wrote:
> While I agree with you, that a LaTeX parser would be very hard to
> implement, why not try a different solution. I will try to describe
I still think that an heuristic algorithm would do moderately good
work and it would not be that hard, actually, to implement. It couldn't
guess always correctly the Maxima formula from tex/lyx representation, but
well enough for most uses. Lyx might have some (optional) hinting
mechanism, tough.
> that preserves it. Why not create an input mode for LyX, that allows
> to enter commands for maple, which are stored as plain text.
> This is then passed over to maple (with an added latex(...) )
> to evaluate, and the result can easily be displayed with the
> capabilities of LyX.
I have to disagee about the idea as exactly presented.
> This would have the advantage that you won�t have to leave LyX
> to perform computations, and that the commands which led to
True, but...
> The only disadvantage I can see with using this method
> would be that there are two different syntax standards for
> mathematical input in LyX. While this could be confusing for
> new users of LyX, it should present no problem because anyone
> who will use this feature will probably know maple and latex
> syntax.
IMO, this is huge disadvantage, huge enough to defeat the whole
purpose. The big (?) success of LyX is that it's possible to use LaTeX
*without knowing anything about tex/latex*. Knowing tex *will* help -- but
for basic usage, it is *not* necessary.
The same principle should go for using Macsyma/Maxima. The user should be
able to write the equations just normally and then optionally evaluate
them transparently with a mathematics program. Even if the user knows
Maple/Macsyma, he might not see beforehand, when starting to write the
equations, then he would like to solve it automatically. The equation
might look simple at first.
> not too proprietary syntax.Using Mathematica would require
> some additional work, because Mathematica�s latex output uses
> special macros for many things. (At least the Version I am using)
Well, if the user has money for Mathematica and willingness to use
proprietary programs he could as well use the program mentioned --
scientific workplace or what was its name -- for his purposes.
> I would be glad if some LyX-Developer could tell me if this
> additions to LyX are possible.
Everything is possible with *really* free (in the GNU sense) programs like
LyX -- the question is, which is the most sane for (1) developers and
(2) users.
