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!RLaB
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1996-04-11
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ARCH:
This is RLaB for RISC OS, 1.123, RISC OS version 1.0.
As far as I know, it runs up for the title of 'Fattest RISC OS program'
since it is > 1.4M in size. No, won't run on a 2Mb machine :-).
What Is RLaB ?
Rlab is an interactive, interpreted scientific programming
environment. Rlab is a very high level language intended to provide
fast prototyping and program development, as well as easy
data-visualization, and processing.
Rlab is not a clone of languages such as those used by tools like
Matlab or Matrix_X/Xmath. However, as Rlab focuses on creating a good
experimental environment (or laboratory) in which to do matrix math,
it can be called "MATLAB-like" since the programming language
possesses similar operators and concepts.
Rlab is copyrighted with the GNU General Public License, and is free
(in the GNU sense) for all to use.
The port of RLaB to the RISC OS environment started some time ago to give
RISC OS a powerful math tool. Not all the features of RISC OS are
exploited . A RISC OS front end is in the pipeline.
I suggest that you run RLaB in a !Zap Taskwindow, since I can't tell how well
do other task windows cope with it. !Edit is fine, though.
Draw files are supported as output format.
However, you can also use GNUPlot if you wish so. Use the 'gnuplot' 'R' file
in the !RLaB.misc.RISCOS dir
if you are not new to RLaB:
please read the CHANGELOG file and the misc.RISC_OS.changelog
to find out what is changed in the RLaB original distribution and in
RISC OS one (note that a few plplot functions have been renamed)
**** OK, BUT LET ME HAVE FUN FIRST...
start !RLaB and type ( > is the RLaB prompt):
>load ("test") - this should finish in approx 230 sec unless you have a math
copro (on a 10M RPC, in a window) - It's 150 sec outside the
desktop. It's 170 sec with a RPC 700 (grrr..:-) )
- how long will it take with a math copro??
>load ("examples.plot_test") - this will create draw files and show them in
all their glory. You might want to try
>load ("examples.fourier")
now type
>help ACORN
if you want to test GNUPlot:
Load GNUPlot
make sure the gnupipe program is within your executables path
substitute plplot in 'rlib' with gnuplot (from the misc.RISCOS dir)
start RLaB and load ("RISC_OS.gnpltst_sm")
If all goes OK, you can now proceed on your own :-)
**** KNOWN BUGS/FEATURES :-):
1.00:
-system() will not work since there is no extra space left in RLaB's wimpslot,
if try to run a compiled program. You should use this trick:
1)system("taskwindow \"<your command here>\" -quit");
-some UNIX specific features might not be working.
-Many more, of the worst possible kind. I just haven't discovered them yet.
Expect it to fall over at any time :-). Can't be worse than Windows anyway.
**** CREDITS
First of all, the 2 most patient persons in the world, my wife and daughter -
They seldom complain whan I stay up at night debugging this beast :-)
(mmmhh.. she just read this and suggested to change 'seldom' to 'never')
Jan Searle (jans@eskimo.com) - The man behind RLaB. Great Job!!
Dr. Maurice LeBrun (mjl@dino.ph.utexas.edu) - PlPlot, a superb library
Alun 'Da Penguin' Jones for several RISC OS hints and code snippets,
anchovies, a server, not to mention a few books an e-mail breaks from
my real job...
Please read the ANNOUNCEMENT for an updated list of credits
**** CONTACTS:
Ian Searle (RLaB maintainer and helmsman): ians@eskimo.com
for RLaB bugs only - check with me first to see if it's an Acorn problem
Maurizio Ferrari (Acorn port responsible): ferrari@bologna.marelli.it
RLaB Acorn port problems
Mail me to be included in the 'updates for RISC OS' mailing list.
RLaB mailing list: Send mail to rlab-request@eskimo.com
This is read by a human, so no special syntax is required, just state
your desire.
To communicate with others on the list mail to rlab-list@eskimo.com
**** FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS:
Better integration in the Desktop (nice menus, iconbar, drag, drop, AND A BANNER!)
PPLLLLEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
I need feedback - It took me quite a long time to port RLaB. Tell me what you think
and give advice for future enhancements. You can even send me a tin of anchovies
I like them on a slice of pizza.
IF YOU HAVE READ SO FAR YOU ARE AN ASTOUNDING READER :-)
(You will not believe it, but a few people actually did)
(You will believe this even less, but someone *did* send me the anchovies...)