annotate doc/interpreter/tips.txi @ 17535:c12c688a35ed default tip lyh

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author LYH <lyh.kernel@gmail.com>
date Fri, 27 Sep 2013 17:43:27 +0800
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72c96de7a403 maint: update copyright notices for 2012
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1 @c Copyright (C) 1996-2012 John W. Eaton
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2 @c
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3 @c This file is part of Octave.
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4 @c
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5 @c Octave is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
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6 @c under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
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7 @c Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at
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8 @c your option) any later version.
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9 @c
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10 @c Octave is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
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11 @c ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
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12 @c FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
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13 @c for more details.
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14 @c
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15 @c You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
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16 @c along with Octave; see the file COPYING. If not, see
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17 @c <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
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18
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19 @node Tips and Standards
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20 @appendix Tips and Standards
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21 @cindex tips
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22 @cindex standards of coding style
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23 @cindex coding standards
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24
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25 This chapter describes no additional features of Octave. Instead it
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26 gives advice on making effective use of the features described in the
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27 previous chapters.
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28
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29 @menu
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30 * Style Tips:: Writing clean and robust programs.
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31 * Comment Tips:: Conventions for writing comments.
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32 * Function Headers:: Standard headers for functions.
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33 * Documentation Tips:: Writing readable documentation strings.
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34 @end menu
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35
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36 @node Style Tips
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37 @section Writing Clean Octave Programs
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38
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39 Here are some tips for avoiding common errors in writing Octave code
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40 intended for widespread use:
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41
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42 @itemize @bullet
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43 @item
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44 Since all global variables share the same name space, and all functions
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45 share another name space, you should choose a short word to distinguish
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46 your program from other Octave programs. Then take care to begin the
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47 names of all global variables, constants, and functions with the chosen
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48 prefix. This helps avoid name conflicts.
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49
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50 If you write a function that you think ought to be added to Octave under
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51 a certain name, such as @code{fiddle_matrix}, don't call it by that name
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52 in your program. Call it @code{mylib_fiddle_matrix} in your program,
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53 and send mail to @email{maintainers@@octave.org} suggesting that it
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54 be added to Octave. If and when it is, the name can be changed easily
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55 enough.
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56
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57 If one prefix is insufficient, your package may use two or three
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58 alternative common prefixes, so long as they make sense.
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59
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60 Separate the prefix from the rest of the symbol name with an underscore
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61 @samp{_}. This will be consistent with Octave itself and with most
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62 Octave programs.
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63
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64 @item
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65 When you encounter an error condition, call the function @code{error}
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66 (or @code{usage}). The @code{error} and @code{usage} functions do not
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67 return.
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68 @xref{Errors}.
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69
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70 @item
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71 Please put a copyright notice on the file if you give copies to anyone.
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72 Use the same lines that appear at the top of the function files
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73 distributed with Octave. If you have not signed papers to assign the
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74 copyright to anyone else, then place your name in the copyright notice.
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75 @end itemize
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76
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77
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78 @node Comment Tips
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79 @section Tips on Writing Comments
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80
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81 Here are the conventions to follow when writing comments.
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82
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83 @table @samp
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84 @item #
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85 Comments that start with a single sharp-sign, @samp{#}, should all be
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86 aligned to the same column on the right of the source code. Such
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87 comments usually explain how the code on the same line does its job. In
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88 the Emacs mode for Octave, the @kbd{M-;} (@code{indent-for-comment})
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89 command automatically inserts such a @samp{#} in the right place, or
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90 aligns such a comment if it is already present.
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91
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92 @item ##
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93 Comments that start with a double sharp-sign, @samp{##}, should be aligned to
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94 the same level of indentation as the code. Such comments usually
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95 describe the purpose of the following lines or the state of the program
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96 at that point.
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97 @end table
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98
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99 @noindent
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100 The indentation commands of the Octave mode in Emacs, such as @kbd{M-;}
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101 (@code{indent-for-comment}) and @kbd{TAB} (@code{octave-indent-line})
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102 automatically indent comments according to these conventions,
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103 depending on the number of semicolons. @xref{Comments,,
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104 Manipulating Comments, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
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105
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106 @node Function Headers
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107 @section Conventional Headers for Octave Functions
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108 @cindex header comments
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109
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110 Octave has conventions for using special comments in function files
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111 to give information such as who wrote them. This section explains these
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112 conventions.
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113
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114 The top of the file should contain a copyright notice, followed by a
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115 block of comments that can be used as the help text for the function.
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116 Here is an example:
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117
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118 @example
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119 ## Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 2007 John W. Eaton
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120 ##
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121 ## This file is part of Octave.
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122 ##
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123 ## Octave is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
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124 ## modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public
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125 ## License as published by the Free Software Foundation;
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126 ## either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any
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127 ## later version.
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128 ##
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129 ## Octave is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
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130 ## but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied
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131 ## warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
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132 ## PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more
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133 ## details.
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134 ##
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135 ## You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public
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136 ## License along with Octave; see the file COPYING. If not,
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137 ## see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
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138
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139 ## usage: [IN, OUT, PID] = popen2 (COMMAND, ARGS)
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140 ##
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141 ## Start a subprocess with two-way communication. COMMAND
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142 ## specifies the name of the command to start. ARGS is an
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143 ## array of strings containing options for COMMAND. IN and
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144 ## OUT are the file ids of the input and streams for the
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145 ## subprocess, and PID is the process id of the subprocess,
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146 ## or -1 if COMMAND could not be executed.
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147 ##
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148 ## Example:
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149 ##
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150 ## [in, out, pid] = popen2 ("sort", "-nr");
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151 ## fputs (in, "these\nare\nsome\nstrings\n");
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152 ## fclose (in);
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153 ## while (ischar (s = fgets (out)))
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154 ## fputs (stdout, s);
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155 ## endwhile
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156 ## fclose (out);
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157 @end example
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158
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159 Octave uses the first block of comments in a function file that do not
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160 appear to be a copyright notice as the help text for the file. For
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161 Octave to recognize the first comment block as a copyright notice, it
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162 must start with the word `Copyright' after stripping the leading
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163 comment characters.
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164
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165 After the copyright notice and help text come several @dfn{header
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166 comment} lines, each beginning with @samp{## @var{header-name}:}. For
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167 example,
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168
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169 @example
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170 @group
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171 ## Author: jwe
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172 ## Keywords: subprocesses input-output
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173 ## Maintainer: jwe
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174 @end group
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175 @end example
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176
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177 Here is a table of the conventional possibilities for @var{header-name}:
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178
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179 @table @samp
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180 @item Author
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181 This line states the name and net address of at least the principal
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182 author of the library.
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183
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184 @example
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185 ## Author: John W. Eaton <jwe@@octave.org>
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186 @end example
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187
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188 @item Maintainer
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189 This line should contain a single name/address as in the Author line, or
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190 an address only, or the string @samp{jwe}. If there is no maintainer
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191 line, the person(s) in the Author field are presumed to be the
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192 maintainers. The example above is mildly bogus because the maintainer
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193 line is redundant.
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194
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195 The idea behind the @samp{Author} and @samp{Maintainer} lines is to make
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196 possible a function to ``send mail to the maintainer'' without
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197 having to mine the name out by hand.
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198
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199 Be sure to surround the network address with @samp{<@dots{}>} if
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200 you include the person's full name as well as the network address.
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201
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202 @item Created
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203 This optional line gives the original creation date of the
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204 file. For historical interest only.
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205
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206 @item Version
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207 If you wish to record version numbers for the individual Octave program,
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208 put them in this line.
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209
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210 @item Adapted-By
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211 In this header line, place the name of the person who adapted the
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212 library for installation (to make it fit the style conventions, for
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213 example).
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214
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215 @item Keywords
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216 This line lists keywords. Eventually, it will be used by an apropos
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217 command to allow people will find your package when they're looking for
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218 things by topic area. To separate the keywords, you can use spaces,
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219 commas, or both.
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220 @end table
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221
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222 Just about every Octave function ought to have the @samp{Author} and
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223 @samp{Keywords} header comment lines. Use the others if they are
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224 appropriate. You can also put in header lines with other header
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225 names---they have no standard meanings, so they can't do any harm.
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226
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227 @node Documentation Tips
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228 @section Tips for Documentation Strings
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229
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230 As noted above, documentation is typically in a commented header block
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231 on an Octave function following the copyright statement. The help string
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232 shown above is an unformatted string and will be displayed as is by
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233 Octave. Here are some tips for the writing of documentation strings.
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234
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235 @itemize @bullet
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236 @item
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237 Every command, function, or variable intended for users to know about
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238 should have a documentation string.
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239
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240 @item
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241 An internal variable or subroutine of an Octave program might as well have
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242 a documentation string.
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243
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244 @item
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245 The first line of the documentation string should consist of one or two
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246 complete sentences that stand on their own as a summary.
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247
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248 The documentation string can have additional lines that expand on the
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249 details of how to use the function or variable. The additional lines
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250 should also be made up of complete sentences.
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251
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252 @item
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253 For consistency, phrase the verb in the first sentence of a
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254 documentation string as an infinitive with ``to'' omitted. For
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255 instance, use ``Return the frob of A and B.'' in preference to ``Returns
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256 the frob of A and B@.'' Usually it looks good to do likewise for the
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257 rest of the first paragraph. Subsequent paragraphs usually look better
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258 if they have proper subjects.
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259
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260 @item
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261 Write documentation strings in the active voice, not the passive, and in
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262 the present tense, not the future. For instance, use ``Return a list
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263 containing A and B.'' instead of ``A list containing A and B will be
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264 returned.''
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265
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266 @item
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267 Avoid using the word ``cause'' (or its equivalents) unnecessarily.
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268 Instead of, ``Cause Octave to display text in boldface,'' just write
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269 ``Display text in boldface.''
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270
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271 @item
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272 Use two spaces between the period marking the end of a sentence and the
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273 word which opens the next sentence. This convention has no effect for
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274 typeset formats like @TeX{}, but improves the readability of the documentation
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275 in fixed-width environments such as the Info reader.
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276
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277 @item
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278 Do not start or end a documentation string with whitespace.
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279
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280 @item
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281 Format the documentation string so that it fits within an 80-column screen.
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282 It is a good idea for most lines to be no wider than 60 characters.
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283
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284 However, rather than simply filling the entire documentation string, you
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285 can make it much more readable by choosing line breaks with care.
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286 Use blank lines between topics if the documentation string is long.
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287
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288 @item
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289 @strong{Do not} indent subsequent lines of a documentation string so
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290 that the text is lined up in the source code with the text of the first
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291 line. This looks nice in the source code, but looks bizarre when users
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292 view the documentation. Remember that the indentation before the
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293 starting double-quote is not part of the string!
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294
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295 @item
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296 When choosing variable names try to adhere to the following guidelines.
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297
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298 @table @asis
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299 @item vectors :
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300 x,y,z,t,w
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301
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302 @item matrices :
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303 A,B,M
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304
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305 @item strings :
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306 @nospell{str},s
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307
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308 @item filenames :
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309 @nospell{fname}
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310
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311 @item cells,@nospell{cellstrs} :
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312 c,@nospell{cstr}
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313 @end table
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314
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315 @item
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316 The documentation string for a variable that is a yes-or-no flag should
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317 start with words such as ``Nonzero means@dots{}'', to make it clear that
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318 all nonzero values are equivalent and indicate explicitly what zero and
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319 nonzero mean.
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320
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321 @item
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322 When a function's documentation string mentions the value of an argument
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323 of the function, use the argument name in capital letters as if it were
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324 a name for that value. Thus, the documentation string of the operator
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325 @code{/} refers to its second argument as @samp{DIVISOR}, because the
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326 actual argument name is @code{divisor}.
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327
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328 Also use all caps for meta-syntactic variables, such as when you show
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329 the decomposition of a list or vector into subunits, some of which may
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330 vary.
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331 @end itemize
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332
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333 Octave also allows extensive formatting of the help string of functions
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334 using Texinfo. The effect on the online documentation is relatively
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335 small, but makes the help string of functions conform to the help of
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336 Octave's own functions. However, the effect on the appearance of printed
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337 or online documentation will be greatly improved.
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338
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339 The fundamental building block of Texinfo documentation strings is the
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340 Texinfo-macro @code{@@deftypefn}, which takes three arguments: The class
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341 the function is in, its output arguments, and the function's
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342 signature. Typical classes for functions include @code{Function File}
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343 for standard Octave functions, and @code{Loadable Function} for
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344 dynamically linked functions. A skeletal Texinfo documentation string
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345 therefore looks like this
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346
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347 @example
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348 @group
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349 -*- texinfo -*-
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350 @@deftypefn @{Function File@} @{@@var@{ret@} =@} fn (@dots{})
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351 @@cindex index term
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352 Help text in Texinfo format. Code samples should be marked
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353 like @@code@{sample of code@} and variables should be marked
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354 as @@var@{variable@}.
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355 @@seealso@{fn2, fn3@}
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356 @@end deftypefn
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357 @end group
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358 @end example
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359
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360 This help string must be commented in user functions, or in the help
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361 string of the @w{@code{DEFUN_DLD}} macro for dynamically loadable
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362 functions. The important aspects of the documentation string are
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363
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364 @table @asis
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365 @item -*- @nospell{texinfo} -*-
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366 This string signals Octave that the following text is in Texinfo format,
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367 and should be the first part of any help string in Texinfo format.
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368
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369 @item @@deftypefn @{class@} @dots{} @@end deftypefn
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370 The entire help string should be enclosed within the block defined by
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371 deftypefn.
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372
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373 @item @@cindex index term
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374 This generates an index entry, and can be useful when the function is
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375 included as part of a larger piece of documentation. It is ignored
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376 within Octave's help viewer. Only one index term may appear per line
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377 but multiple @@cindex lines are valid if the function should be
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378 filed under different terms.
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379
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380 @item @@var@{variable@}
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381 All variables should be marked with this macro. The markup of variables
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382 is then changed appropriately for display.
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383
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384 @item @@code@{sample of code@}
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385 All samples of code should be marked with this macro for the same
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386 reasons as the @@var macro.
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387
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388 @item @nospell{@@qcode@{"sample_code"@}}
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389 @itemx @nospell{@@qcode@{'sample_code'@}}
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390 All samples of code which are quoted should use this more specialized macro.
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391 This happens frequently when discussing graphics properties such as "position"
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392 or options such as "on"/"off".
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393
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394 @item @@seealso@{function2, function3@}
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395 This is a comma separated list of function names that allows cross
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396 referencing from one function documentation string to another.
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397 @end table
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398
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399 Texinfo format has been designed to generate output for online viewing
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400 with text terminals as well as generating high-quality printed output.
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401 To these ends, Texinfo has commands which control the diversion of parts
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402 of the document into a particular output processor. Three formats are
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403 of importance: info, HTML, and @TeX{}. These are selected with
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404
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405 @example
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406 @group
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407 @@ifinfo
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408 Text area for info only
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409 @@end ifinfo
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410 @end group
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411 @end example
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412
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413 @example
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414 @group
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415 @@ifhtml
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416 Text area for HTML only
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417 @@end ifhtml
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418 @end group
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419 @end example
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420
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421 @example
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422 @group
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423 @@tex
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424 Text area for TeX only
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425 @@end tex
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426 @end group
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427 @end example
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428
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429 Note that often @TeX{} output can be used in HTML documents and so often
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430 the @code{@@ifhtml} blocks are unnecessary. If no specific output
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431 processor is chosen, by default, the text goes into all output
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432 processors. It is usual to have the above blocks in pairs to allow the
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433 same information to be conveyed in all output formats, but with a
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434 different markup. Currently, most Octave documentation only makes a
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435 distinction between @TeX{} and all other formats. Therefore, the
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436 following construct is seen repeatedly.
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437
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438 @example
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439 @group
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440 @@tex
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441 text for TeX only
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442 @@end tex
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443 @@ifnottex
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444 text for info, HTML, plaintext
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445 @@end ifnottex
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446 @end group
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447 @end example
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448
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449 Another important feature of Texinfo that is often used in Octave help
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450 strings is the @code{@@example} environment. An example of its use is
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451
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452 @example
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453 @group
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454 @@example
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455 @@group
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456 @@code@{2 * 2@}
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457 @@result@{@} 4
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458 @@end group
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diff changeset
459 @@end example
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diff changeset
460 @end group
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diff changeset
461 @end example
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diff changeset
462
10846
a4f482e66b65 Grammarcheck more of the documentation.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
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diff changeset
463 @noindent
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diff changeset
464 which produces
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
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465
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diff changeset
466 @example
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467 @group
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
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diff changeset
468 @code{2 * 2}
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469 @result{} 4
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470 @end group
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diff changeset
471 @end example
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diff changeset
472
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diff changeset
473 The @code{@@group} block prevents the example from being split across a
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
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diff changeset
474 page boundary, while the @code{@@result@{@}} macro produces a right
9210
a7a9eecc07b5 Change recommendation for writing documentation to favor @tex
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diff changeset
475 arrow signifying the result of a command. If your example is larger than
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Rik <rik@octave.org>
parents: 16790
diff changeset
476 20 lines it is better @emph{NOT} to use grouping so that a reasonable page
bc924baa2c4e doc: Add new @qcode macro for code samples which are quoted.
Rik <rik@octave.org>
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diff changeset
477 boundary can be calculated.
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diff changeset
478
8828
8463d1a2e544 Doc fixes.
Brian Gough <bjg@network-theory.co.uk>
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diff changeset
479 In many cases a function has multiple ways in which it can be called,
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ec41eabf4499 Cleanup documentation files dynamic.texi, testfun.texi, tips.texi
Rik <rdrider0-list@yahoo.com>
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diff changeset
480 and the @code{@@deftypefnx} macro can be used to give alternatives. For
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481 example
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482
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483 @example
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484 @group
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diff changeset
485 -*- texinfo -*-
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Rik <rik@octave.org>
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486 @@deftypefn @{Function File@} @{@@var@{a@} =@} fn (@@var@{x@}, @dots{})
d21bf69e49b2 doc: Update some spacing in the Tips & Standards chapter.
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487 @@deftypefnx @{Function File@} @{@@var@{a@} =@} fn (@@var@{y@}, @dots{})
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488 Help text in Texinfo format.
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489 @@end deftypefn
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490 @end group
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491 @end example
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492
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493 Many complete examples of Texinfo documentation can be taken from the
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ec41eabf4499 Cleanup documentation files dynamic.texi, testfun.texi, tips.texi
Rik <rdrider0-list@yahoo.com>
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diff changeset
494 help strings for the Octave functions themselves. A relatively complete
ec41eabf4499 Cleanup documentation files dynamic.texi, testfun.texi, tips.texi
Rik <rdrider0-list@yahoo.com>
parents: 9038
diff changeset
495 example of which is the @code{nchoosek} function. The Texinfo
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a7a9eecc07b5 Change recommendation for writing documentation to favor @tex
Rik <rdrider0-list@yahoo.com>
parents: 9209
diff changeset
496 documentation string for @code{nchoosek} is
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diff changeset
497
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498 @example
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499 -*- texinfo -*-
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Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
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diff changeset
500 @@deftypefn @{Function File@} @{@@var@{c@} =@} nchoosek (@@var@{n@}, @@var@{k@})
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
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diff changeset
501 @@deftypefnx @{Function File@} @{@@var@{c@} =@} nchoosek (@@var@{set@}, @@var@{k@})
6574
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diff changeset
502
14093
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Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
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diff changeset
503 Compute the binomial coefficient or all combinations of a set of items.
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diff changeset
504
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Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
505 If @@var@{n@} is a scalar then calculate the binomial coefficient
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
506 of @@var@{n@} and @@var@{k@} which is defined as
6574
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diff changeset
507 @@tex
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diff changeset
508 $$
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
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diff changeset
509 @{n \choose k@} = @{n (n-1) (n-2) \cdots (n-k+1) \over k!@}
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
510 = @{n! \over k! (n-k)!@}
6574
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diff changeset
511 $$
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
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diff changeset
512 @@end tex
9210
a7a9eecc07b5 Change recommendation for writing documentation to favor @tex
Rik <rdrider0-list@yahoo.com>
parents: 9209
diff changeset
513 @@ifnottex
6574
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diff changeset
514
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jwe
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diff changeset
515 @@example
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jwe
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diff changeset
516 @@group
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jwe
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diff changeset
517 / \
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050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
518 | n | n (n-1) (n-2) @@dots@{@} (n-k+1) n!
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Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
519 | | = ------------------------- = ---------
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
520 | k | k! k! (n-k)!
6574
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diff changeset
521 \ /
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diff changeset
522 @@end group
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
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diff changeset
523 @@end example
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
524
9210
a7a9eecc07b5 Change recommendation for writing documentation to favor @tex
Rik <rdrider0-list@yahoo.com>
parents: 9209
diff changeset
525 @@end ifnottex
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
526 @@noindent
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
527 This is the number of combinations of @@var@{n@} items taken in groups of
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
528 size @@var@{k@}.
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
529
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
530 If the first argument is a vector, @@var@{set@}, then generate all
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
531 combinations of the elements of @@var@{set@}, taken @@var@{k@} at a time, with
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
532 one row per combination. The result @@var@{c@} has @@var@{k@} columns and
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
533 @@w@{@@code@{nchoosek (length (@@var@{set@}), @@var@{k@})@}@} rows.
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
534
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
535 For example:
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
536
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
537 How many ways can three items be grouped into pairs?
6574
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
538
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
539 @@example
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
540 @@group
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
541 nchoosek (3, 2)
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
542 @@result@{@} 3
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
543 @@end group
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
544 @@end example
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
545
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
546 What are the possible pairs?
6574
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
547
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
548 @@example
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
549 @@group
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
550 nchoosek (1:3, 2)
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
551 @@result@{@} 1 2
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
552 1 3
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
553 2 3
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
554 @@end group
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
555 @@end example
9210
a7a9eecc07b5 Change recommendation for writing documentation to favor @tex
Rik <rdrider0-list@yahoo.com>
parents: 9209
diff changeset
556
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
557 @@code@{nchoosek@} works only for non-negative, integer arguments. Use
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
558 @@code@{bincoeff@} for non-integer and negative scalar arguments, or for
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
559 computing many binomial coefficients at once with vector inputs
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
560 for @@var@{n@} or @@var@{k@}.
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
561
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
562 @@seealso@{bincoeff, perms@}
6574
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jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
563 @@end deftypefn
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
564 @end example
17297
4d7f95eb8bfe doc: Miscellaneous small tweaks to documentation for consistency.
Rik <rik@octave.org>
parents: 17289
diff changeset
565
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
566 @noindent
6574
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
567 which demonstrates most of the concepts discussed above.
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
568 @iftex
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
569 This documentation string renders as
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
570 @c Note: use the actual output of info below, rather than try and
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
571 @c reproduce it here to prevent it looking different from how it would
6574
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
572 @c appear with info.
17297
4d7f95eb8bfe doc: Miscellaneous small tweaks to documentation for consistency.
Rik <rik@octave.org>
parents: 17289
diff changeset
573
6574
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
574 @example
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
575 -- Function File: C = nchoosek (N, K)
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
576 -- Function File: C = nchoosek (SET, K)
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
577 Compute the binomial coefficient or all combinations of a set of
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
578 items.
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
579
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
580 If N is a scalar then calculate the binomial coefficient of N and
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
581 K which is defined as
6574
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
582
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
583 / \
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
584 | n | n (n-1) (n-2) ... (n-k+1) n!
7081
503001863427 [project @ 2007-10-31 01:08:14 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 7018
diff changeset
585 | | = ------------------------- = ---------
503001863427 [project @ 2007-10-31 01:08:14 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 7018
diff changeset
586 | k | k! k! (n-k)!
6574
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
587 \ /
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
588
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
589 This is the number of combinations of N items taken in groups of
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
590 size K.
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
591
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
592 If the first argument is a vector, SET, then generate all
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
593 combinations of the elements of SET, taken K at a time, with one
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
594 row per combination. The result C has K columns and
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
595 `nchoosek (length (SET), K)' rows.
6574
d5d6a670f137 [project @ 2007-04-25 14:02:38 by jwe]
jwe
parents: 6530
diff changeset
596
14093
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
597 For example:
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
598
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
599 How many ways can three items be grouped into pairs?
050bc580cb60 doc: Various docstring improvements before 3.6.0 release.
Rik <octave@nomad.inbox5.com>
parents: 12576
diff changeset
600
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601 nchoosek (3, 2)
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602 => 3
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603
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604 What are the possible pairs?
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605
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606 nchoosek (1:3, 2)
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607 => 1 2
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608 1 3
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609 2 3
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610
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611 `nchoosek' works only for non-negative, integer arguments. Use
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612 `bincoeff' for non-integer and negative scalar arguments, or for
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613 computing many binomial coefficients at once with vector inputs
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614 for N or K.
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615
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616 See also: bincoeff, perms
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617 @end example
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618 @noindent
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619 using info, whereas in a printed documentation using @TeX{} it will
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620 appear as
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621
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622 @deftypefn {Function File} {@var{c} =} nchoosek (@var{n}, @var{k})
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623 @deftypefnx {Function File} {@var{c} =} nchoosek (@var{set}, @var{k})
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624
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625 Compute the binomial coefficient or all combinations of a set of items.
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626
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627 If @var{n} is a scalar then calculate the binomial coefficient
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628 of @var{n} and @var{k} which is defined as
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629
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630 @tex
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631 $$
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632 {n \choose k} = {n (n-1) (n-2) \cdots (n-k+1) \over k!}
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633 = {n! \over k! (n-k)!}
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634 $$
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635 @end tex
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636
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637 @noindent
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638 This is the number of combinations of @var{n} items taken in groups of
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639 size @var{k}.
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640
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641 If the first argument is a vector, @var{set}, then generate all
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642 combinations of the elements of @var{set}, taken @var{k} at a time, with
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643 one row per combination. The result @var{c} has @var{k} columns and
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644 @w{@code{nchoosek (length (@var{set}), @var{k})}} rows.
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645
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646 For example:
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647
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648 How many ways can three items be grouped into pairs?
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649
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650 @example
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651 @group
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652 nchoosek (3, 2)
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653 @result{} 3
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654 @end group
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655 @end example
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656
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657 What are the possible pairs?
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658
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659 @example
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660 @group
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661 nchoosek (1:3, 2)
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662 @result{} 1 2
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663 1 3
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664 2 3
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665 @end group
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666 @end example
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667
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668 @code{nchoosek} works only for non-negative, integer arguments. Use
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669 @code{bincoeff} for non-integer and negative scalar arguments, or for
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670 computing many binomial coefficients at once with vector inputs for @var{n}
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671 or @var{k}.
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672
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673 @seealso{bincoeff, perms}
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674 @end deftypefn
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675
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676 @end iftex