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Recent Posts
Making a Pratt Parser Generator Part 1
Robert Jacobson | 13 Aug 2020
Bayes' Theorem and the Deathly Hallows
Robert Jacobson | 1 Jul 2020
Defining the Wolfram Language Part 2: Operator Properties
Robert Jacobson | 4 Sep 2018
In this third installment of our n part series, “Defining the Wolfram Language,” we begin to study the properties, namely the arity, affix, associativity, and precedence, of the Mathematica operators we found in Part 1. If we ended Part 1 proud of our accomplishment—perhaps even a little smug—then we will get reacquainted with our humility in this article.
Generalizing PEMDAS: What is an operator?
Robert Jacobson | 3 Sep 2018
Defining the Wolfram Language Part 1: Finding Operators
Robert Jacobson | 16 Aug 2018
Finding All Wolfram Language Operators
In this second article, Part 1 of an n part series on Defining the Wolfram Language, we start getting our hands dirty hunting down every single operator in Mathematica and each operator’s linguistic properties. To my knowledge, nobody outside of Wolfram has created such an exhaustive list before.
Defining the Wolfram Language Part 0: The Challenge
Robert Jacobson | 2 Jul 2018
What is the definition of the Wolfram Language? This is the first in a series of articles attempting to answer this question.
The grammar of mathematical expressions
Robert Jacobson | 28 Jan 2015
Using computers to do automatic translation has a long and rich history in computer science. A course in compiler construction is a veritable survey of topics in computer science running the gamut from formal languages to data structures and algorithms to Hopfcroft’s algorithm to minimize deterministic automata. One of the first things a student learns in a compiler construction course is how to formally describe the grammar of a language using (extended) Backus–Naur form (EBNF).
Using Mathematica From Python
Robert Jacobson | 10 Dec 2014
In which I show you how to programmatically interface with a Mathematica kernel from Python.
Platonic Solids and the School of Athens
Robert Jacobson | 25 Jul 2014
Euclid in The School of Athens
This is a very special fresco painting by Italian Renaissance artist Raphael in the Vatican Museum called The School of Athens. It depicts the great philosophers of ancient Greece, famously with Plato pointing up and Aristotle pointing down.
How Springer sent me to collections for adopting their textbook.
Robert Jacobson | 17 Apr 2014
The story begins with one of those little mundane activities that fill every professor’s day. Right before the spring semester began I was evaluating various textbook options for the next time I teach undergraduate real analysis. Stephen Abbott’s Understanding Analysis published by Springer seemed to be exactly the kind of book I was looking for.