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1.10.3 User-defined

New user-defined variables and functions of one through five variables may be declared and used anywhere, including on the `plot` command itself.

User-defined function syntax:

           <func-name>( <dummy1> {,<dummy2>} ... {,<dummy5>} ) = <expression>
     

where <expression> is defined in terms of <dummy1> through <dummy5>.

User-defined variable syntax:

           <variable-name> = <constant-expression>
     

Examples:

           w = 2
           q = floor(tan(pi/2 - 0.1))
           f(x) = sin(w*x)
           sinc(x) = sin(pi*x)/(pi*x)
           delta(t) = (t == 0)
           ramp(t) = (t > 0) ? t : 0
           min(a,b) = (a < b) ? a : b
           comb(n,k) = n!/(k!*(n-k)!)
           len3d(x,y,z) = sqrt(x*x+y*y+z*z)
           plot f(x) = sin(x*a), a = 0.2, f(x), a = 0.4, f(x)
     

Note that the variable `pi` is already defined. But it is in no way magic; you may redefine it to be whatever you like.

Valid names are the same as in most programming languages: they must begin with a letter, but subsequent characters may be letters, digits, "$", or "_". Note, however, that the `fit` mechanism uses several variables with names that begin "FIT_". It is safest to avoid using such names. "FIT_LIMIT", however, is one that you may wish to redefine. See the documentation on `fit` for details.

See `show functions`, variables, and `fit`.