wxmaxima package has incomplete dependencies

SIGTERMer · 2009-03-08 11:55:22

I just thought i should bring this up.
I have installed wxmaxima (both x86 and 64 versions) and both seem that they don't include gnuplot. gnuplot is used to create plots which are somewhat impotant for mathematical representations.
i know this might have been done on purpose, but this might (and probably will) cause a major headache for users who are not aware this fact.
I suggest that it should be included as a dependency (or at least a suggestion)

Xyne · 2009-03-08 12:11:28

It should probably be included as an optional dependency as the user would then see a message to the effect of "install gnuplot for plotting functionality.

It definitely shouldn't be included as a true dependency. Not all users who use (wx)maxima will need or even want the plotting functionality and it is far easier for someone to install gnuplot when they need it as it is now than to remove a hard dependency if they don't want it.

How much of a "major headache" does this really cause btw? Is there no message when you try to plot something without having gnuplot installed? I suspect that most people using (wx)maxima on Arch will be able to figure this out without too much difficult (still, the best solution is to make it an optdep).

Nezmer · 2009-03-08 12:33:12

Send a bug report If you want the maintainer to see your suggestion .

SIGTERMer · 2009-03-08 13:48:52

Xyne wrote:

How much of a "major headache" does this really cause btw? Is there no message when you try to plot something without having gnuplot installed? I suspect that most people using (wx)maxima on Arch will be able to figure this out without too much difficult (still, the best solution is to make it an optdep).

all wxmaxima does is display a big x and the phrase "error". personally, i didn't have a problem since i used octave before (also needs gnuplot and isn't a dependency). but i agree on making it an optional dependency.

Xyne · 2009-03-08 14:39:51

They really should add a more informative message to wxmaxima, but maybe it's a limitation of maxima itself. Does maxima complain that gnuplot is missing or does it just complain about an error?

Anyway, as Nezmer wrote, file a bug report/feature request to get gnuplot added as an optdep. I'd be surprised if they didn't do it. You could even do the same for octave while you're at it.

Last edited by Xyne (2009-03-08 14:47:38)

Arch Linux

#1 2009-03-08 11:55:22

wxmaxima package has incomplete dependencies

#2 2009-03-08 12:11:28

Re: wxmaxima package has incomplete dependencies

#3 2009-03-08 12:33:12

Re: wxmaxima package has incomplete dependencies

#4 2009-03-08 13:48:52

Re: wxmaxima package has incomplete dependencies

#5 2009-03-08 14:39:51

Re: wxmaxima package has incomplete dependencies

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