Appendix F. Version History

Version 2.08 (Sep 6 1999)

• A Dutch language interface is now available; the translation was performed by Hans Klein of the Netherlands.

• Simple periodic function detection has been added. For example, with the polar graph r=sinq, GrafEq will determine that the relation is periodic in q with a period of 2p; subsequently, GrafEq will automatically restrict q to lie between 0 and 2p which will improve graphing efficiency.

• The contact and registration information, along with the license agreement, have been moved from external files into the program. To display the information, select the appropriate menu item from under the help menu. The license agreement will automatically appear the first time you use the program.

Version 2.07 (Feb 19 1999)

• Greek letters may now be entered by typing in their name. For example, “a” may be entered by typing in “alpha”.

• Implicit multiplication symbols (small dots between terms) are no longer mandatory. To hide them, use the Display implicit multiplications checkbox within the Algebraic Window - Formatted Display - Defaults section of the preferences window.

• The code for recognizing irrational numbers has been improved; this affects exponentials with negative bases. Previous versions would only recognize p and e as being irrational. Version 2.07 will recognize irrational radicals, such as the square root of two and the cube root of four, and will try to deduce the irrationality of compound expressions by using simple rational/irrational propogation rules. An example rule is that the sum of an irrational number and a rational number is irrational.

• Marginal axes are now available. Previous versions always displayed axes directly over a view, which can obscure important information. Marginal axes are placed to the side of a view and do not obscure the plotted graph. This version also lets you choose the size of ticks and arrowheads. The new controls are available within the view buddy; defaults are set within the preferences window.

Version 2.06 (Dec 22 1998)

• The exponentiation code has been improved. With previous versions, x^y was defined for negative x only when y was an integer. Now, x^y is defined for negative x whenever y is a rational number which has an odd denominator when expressed in lowest terms. As a result, GrafEq can now correctly graph y=x^x (as well as many other interesting exponential functions); we know of no other graphing program that can. For negative x, x^y remains undefined whenever y is an irrational number or when y is a rational number which has an even denominator when expressed in lowest terms. We will add a small section to the manual explaining exponentiation in more detail.

• The interface for saving graphs and views has been changed. To save a graph, you now select either Save Graph or Save Graph as... when the desired graph is foremost. To export a view, you now select Export View... when the desired view is foremost. With previous versions, there was no Export View... menu item; you would select either Save Graph or Save Graph as... and then specify whether you wanted to save a graph or export a view from within the “Save” dialog box.

• Navigation Services is now supported. Navigation Services provide, among other things, improved “Open” and “Save” dialog boxes. Navigation Services is included with MacOS 8.5; it may be installed on older systems (back to MacOS 7.5.5) if you are willing to do it yourself - go to the Apple web site and search for “Navigation Services” for more information. If Navigation Services is not installed, the older, standard dialog boxes are used.

• Proportional scrollbars are now supported. With proportional scrollbars, the size of the scrollbar “thumb” is dependent on the ratio between the amount of content displayed and the entire amount of content. Proportional scrollbars are included with MacOS 8.5.

• Several display bugs involving pop-up menus with MacOS 8.0, 8.1, and 8.5 have been fixed. Previous versions, while running on MacOS 8.0 or later, would not always show the current selection in its entirety.

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