3 ms·
A physical calculator is a tool, so is your python interpreter, but they are different tools for different purposes. Mathematica does everything your python in
by jwr 1y ago
A physical calculator is a tool, so is your python interpreter, but they are different tools for different purposes.
Mathematica does everything your python interpreter does and more — but that doesn't mean python becomes useless because of that. It's good for certain things, while Mathematica is good for other things.
Similarly with calculators (especially HP calculators), which have become a bit of a lost art (an elegant weapon for a more civilized age). I use them all the time when doing any kind of engineering or hobby work. Good luck using your computer with python one-handed in a workshop next to a CNC.
One thing I do agree with is that plotting functions or working with larger matrices on calculators makes little sense.
- anthk 1y agoGNU Maxima it's the best of both grounds.
- ted_dunning 1y agoRunning in WASM!
- volemo 1y agoMaxima isn't a GNU package, is it?
- defrost 1y agoIt's forked from MacSyma and released under a GNU General Public License (GPL). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxima_(software) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxima_(software) Cayley (1975–1993), now Magma, predates it somewhat and has recently been used to crack post Quantum cryptography candidates. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1089355.1089359 https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1089355.1089359 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magma_(computer_algebra_system) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magma_(computer_algebra_system...
- shawn_w 1y agoIt's not a GNU project though. (Maybe ggp is thinking of the Matlab clone Octave, which is?)
- jwr 1y agoCan I use it one-handed in my workshop? :-) There is no single perfect tool.