[seqfan] Re: b-files question

[Neil Sloane]

b-files:

there is a limit on how big the numbers can be, so that limits the number
of terms in some cases

for even moderately interesting sequences, 10000 terms is about right

for totally boring sequences, 1000 terms, or no b-file at all

I use the b-files all the time when I want to calculate some sequence that
depends on sequence A but I don't want to spend time recomputing sequence A
before I get started.

I have a shell script that retrieves the b-file and converts it into Maple.
I use this a lot, every day.

Another reason for b-files: there may be a program to generate the sequence
but it is written in a language that I don't normally use.
The b-file avoids the problem of converting from PARI (say) to Maple

And of course, if the sequence doesn't have a simple formula, then the
b-file is vital

Neil



On Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:09 AM, Harvey P. Dale <hpd at hpdale.org> wrote:

>         Although b-files probably are not huge gobblers of storage space,
> they do take up at least some modest amount of space.  Are there rules of
> thumb or protocols for the OEIS about when a b-file should be (or should
> not be) submitted?
>         Best,
>         Harvey
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Seqfan Mailing list - http://list.seqfan.eu/
>



-- 
Dear Friends, I have now retired from AT&T. New coordinates:

Neil J. A. Sloane, President, OEIS Foundation
11 South Adelaide Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904, USA
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