How to...
How to ... install MathMate
To run the program in the standalone mode you need to install the Java
Development Kit, (JDK) version 1.1.1 or later. JDK for Windows and Solaris
is available for free download from the Sun's web site. JDK for OS/2 is
available from IBM's web site. JDK for other operating systems are available
from the appropriate vendors. Make sure that the path environment variable
contains the "bin" subdirectory of your JDK installation directory. JDK
also needs the classpath environment variable to be set. Make sure
that classpath is set and that it contains the classes.zip file in the
"lib" subdirectory of your JDK installation directory.
To run the program in client-server mode you would need to install JDK
on your server machine as well.
The standard distribution package for Mathmate does not
contain the client-server version. More detailed instructions on the client-server
version are contained in the documentation accompanying it.
After the JDK is installed, make a directory (folder) on your hard drive
and unzip the contents of the distribution file into this directory (it
is assumed that you have unzip program and know how to use it; if you don't
please find the corresponding information). To run Mathmate,
use one of the supplied batch files. Do not unzip the file "classes.zip"!
Help for Mathmate is provided in HTML format. In order
to be able to use help directly from the browser, it is necessary to provide
a reference to a browser (HTML rendering) program. The first time help
is used, the user is prompted to enter the full path to the browser, e.g.
"i:/internet/netscape/program/netscape.exe". This path will be stored in
the program initialization file. An alternative way is to use the Browser
path menu item and the corresponding dialog. The next time help is
called, the browser information is loaded from that file.
How to ... start MathMate
Open a DOS window (Windows), OS/2 window (OS/2) or an xterm window (Solaris),
switch to the directory where Mathmate files have been installed and type
mathmate
at the command prompt.
You can also set up an icon for MathMate on your desktop.
It should point to one of the MathMate starter files corresponding
to your system. Refer to your system manual for the instructions.
How to ... get help
You have got it!
How to ... set a calculation mode
There are three ways:
-
Choose the corresponding item in the Mode toolbar.
-
Click on the mode icon (to the left of the expression field).
-
When the mode icon has focus, press Space or Enter.
How to ... enter expressions
Make sure the cursor is in the expression entry field (use TAB or mouse
to switch). Type the expression using the keyboard or enter it by clicking
the mouse on the keypads and function panel buttons.
See also
How to ... use the function panel
Click the mouse against a button in the panel to insert the function's
name into the expression. Switch the panel layout by choosing Elementary
or Special tabs. Alternatively, press Alt-E or Alt-S when
the function panel has input focus.
How to ... use MathMate keypads
Click the mouse on a button in the keypad to insert the symbol into the
expression. Works with expression field, limit fields and parameter value
fields.
How to ... enter limits
Make sure the cursor is in the corresponding entry field (use TAB or mouse
to switch). Type the value on the keyboard or enter it by clicking the
mouse on the keypad buttons.
How to ... initialize parameters
Choose the value field corresponding to the parameter name in the parameter
panel (use scrollbar if necessary to display the required parameter) and
enter the value from the keyboard or using the keypad. Note that you can
enter expressions in the value field. These expressions are not symbolic
relations. They will be evaluated numerically based on the parameter values
already assigned. This evaluation takes place when you press the Start
button.
You can force this evaluation without computing the whole expression by
pressing Enter in the value field. The computed value will appear
then in the value field. If an error occurs, it will be displayed in the
result window.
As follows from above, each value field is a "small expression input
line". The difference is that new identifiers are not allowed in the value
fields. The expressions there must use only parameter names already present
in the main expression.
Note: MathMate has a special "meta - variable"
X
which is automatically assigned the value of the last computed expression.
It may be used for iteration or just for convenience of computations, allowing
to break complicated expression into pieces. If you include the
X
identifier in your expression, don't be surprised if the next computation
of the same expression returns a different value. This is because
X
has changed its value after the first computation.
See also:
How to ... set precision
Use the slider to set the number of decimal digits in the calculations.
The slider value can be changed by clicking the mouse or pressing the left
and right arrow keys when the slider has input focus.
How to ... set measurement units
Choose CGSE Constants or SI Constants from the Settings
menu
to set measurement units for physical constants.
How to ... retrieve expressions from the history
list
Activate the History menu and choose one to place in the expression
entry field. Use the mouse or press Enter to choose.
How to ... start calculations
If all the parameters have been initialized, click on the Start button
or press Enter.
How to ... terminate calculations
Click on the Stop button.
How to ... view results
Results are displayed in the Result window after the calculation is finished.
How to ... view log
Choose View log from the File menu.
How to ... open log file
Choose Open log from the File menu.
How to ... save log file
Choose Save log from the File menu.
How to ... hide log viewer window
Click the Hide button in the log viewer window.
How to ... print the log
Click the Print button in the log viewer window. Alternatively,
use Print log from the File menu.
How to ... plot a graph of a function
Switch to the plotter mode, enter expression and limits, initialize parameters
and press Enter or click the Start button.
How to ... define a new macro
Switch to the macro recording mode. Enter the macro name, e.g. EE, and
the macro definition, e.g. exp(exp(x)), in the corresponding fields.
Click Record or press Enter. If the syntax of the name and the
definition is correct, the macro is added to the Function panel.
The name of a macro must be a single identifier not coinciding with
built-in functions, constants and previously defined
macros. If it coincides with the name of an already defined macro,
the definition of the latter is replaced by the new one
after confirmation by the user. The length of a macro's name
is limited to 5 characters (to fit the space on the button
faces).
The definition of a macro must be a valid expression. In the expression,
built-in functions, constants and previously defined macros can be used.
Any unknown identifiers are considered to be macro's parameters. There
must be at least one parameter in every macro (if one needs to define a
new constant expression, e.g. p2,
use something like 0*x+PI^2 as the definition).
How to ... edit an existing macro
Switch to the macro recording mode, enter the macro name in the name
field and enter the new definition. When the macro mode is started,
the list of all macros and definitions is displayed in the parameter
list. Double-clicking on a line in the list causes the name and the
definition of a particular macro to appear in the corresponding fields.
Keep in mind that the other macros depending on this macro might be removed
if the parameter set changes.
How to ... delete a macro
Redefining a macro with an empty definition causes its removal from the
system. All the macros whose definition contains the removed macro are
removed as well. For instance, if macro F is defined as
x^2 + 2*x*y + y^2 and macro G is defined as F(sin(x),
cos(x)), and macro H is defined as G (x/PI), then the
removal of the macro F from the system will cause the removal of
the macros G and H which depend on F. The user will
be asked whether he indeed wants to remove a macro.
How to ... import a macro file
Select Import macros in the File menu and choose the
desired file name. The current set of macros will be removed from the
system and replaced by the macros from the chosen file. The name of the
current macro file (if any) is displayed in the title of MathMate's
main window.
How to ... export macros to a file
Select Export macros from the File menu. You will be prompted
for a file name. The currently active set of macros will be saved in the
chosen file. The default extension for macro files is .mac.
How to ... print the graph
Plot the graph and choose Print graph from the File menu.
How to ... display product information
Choose Product information from the Help menu.
How to ... exit MathMate
Choose Exit in the menu.