`VecCalc 8.0`

A Vector Calculus Package for Maple 9 and 9.5

By Arthur Belmonte and Philip B. Yasskin

Downloading and Installing the Files

Before using the VecCalc package, you must first download and install three files. These files are exactly the same for all operating systems. Right click on each of the following files and save the target in the directories listed below.

package index	VecCalc.ind	40 KB
package library	VecCalc.lib	43 KB
package help	VecCalc.hdb	546 KB

You may keep the files on a floppy disk or a USB drive or put them on your hard disk. Here are the recommended locations on the hard disk: (Replace 9 by 9.5 as necessary.)

Windows:	C:\Program Files\Maple 9\lib
Unix/Linux:	/usr/local/Maple9/lib
Macintosh OSX:	/Applications/Maple 9.app/Contents/MacOS/lib

If you put the files in a different directory or put them on a floppy disk or a USB drive, then the instructions below must be appropriately modified.

Using the Package

To use the commands in the VecCalc package, you must first execute up to three commands.

The first command tells Maple where the package files are located. If you saved the files in the recommended location listed above, then this command is unnecessary. Otherwise, after starting Maple, execute the command
> libname := libname, "yourdirectorypath";
where yourdirectorypath is the full path to the directory where you saved the VecCalc files using / between directories. For example, on Windows, if you saved them on a floppy or a USB drive (with drive letter F), then the command will be
> libname := libname, "F:/";
and if you saved them in the directory D:\mypath\mydir then the command will be
> libname := libname, "D:/mypath/mydir";
Note The path is enclosed in double quotes (").

The second command reads in the package commands:
> with(VecCalc);

Finally, the third (optional) command defines many abbreviations for the VecCalc commands:
> VCalias;

To get help on any command, execute
> ?VecCalc
and follow the hyperlinks.

Automating the Package

To automate the VecCalc package, you can put one or more of the three commands listed under Using the Package into a Maple initialization file which is a text file named and located as follows: (Replace 9 by 9.5 as necessary.)

	File Name	Location
Windows:	maple.ini	C:\Program Files\Maple 9\lib
Unix/Linux:	.mapleinit	your home directory
Macintosh OSX:	.mapleinit	your home directory

If you put all three commands in the initialization file, the VecCalc package will load automatically whenever you start or restart Maple.

Please send comments, questions, or suggestions regarding the VecCalc package to Philip B. Yasskin at yasskin@math.tamu.edu.
Last updated Aug 20, 2006