[seqfan] Proposal for better presentation of some sequences with complex numbers

[Robert Munafo]

franktaw's idea (if I interpret it correctly) is to have a database of
"formulas" with "F-numbers" (the F is for formula), and each formula refers
to one or more sequences (which have A-numbers).

Franklin's idea can be implemented separately from the OEIS, which is why I
think it's a better approach. It doesn't require any keywords or user
interface to be added to OEIS.

It is also more versatile, because you can do a lot more with a formula than
you can do with keywords. If necessary, the "formula" could be a multi-line
program in some language like Maxima or PARI/GP.

The formula database could also include source code to organize and/or
present the numbers in a two-dimensional way, to handle your triangle and
complex examples. The source code could be in a language that has plotting
capability, if needed.

On Fri, May 27, 2011 at 17:25, Maximilian Hasler <
maximilian.hasler at gmail.com> wrote:

> [...]
> Another earlier suggestion of mine which could realize the same
> functionality,
> and might be easier to implement, was that of extended keywords:
> [...]
> This would be extremely easy to implement, maybe one single line in
> the output formatting script, and no change at all to the database
> (assuming that the kw length of 4 characters isn't hardwired anywhere)
> [except for progressively completing the extended keywords].
> [...]
> On Fri, May 27, 2011 at 4:42 PM,  <franktaw at netscape.net> wrote:
> > Some time back, I proposed adding F numbers, which would provide a
> standard
> > way to show not only fractions and complex numbers, but also irregular
> > tables, two-way infinite sequences, sequences defined on fractions and
> > complex numbers, and a number of other things. The reaction at the time
> was
> > underwhelming, but I still think it's a good idea. Note that with this
> > proposal, one would be able to search for these things as well.
> >
> > The basic idea is to have a database with definitions, like
> > "A000010/A000027". This could include comments, formulae, everything
> except
> > actual values and (in some cases) offsets; the sequence contents,
> including
> > b-file equivalents, would then be automatically generated.
> >
> > Implementing this would be a major project, I admit.
> >
> > Franklin T. Adams-Watters
>

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