From: Richard Schneeman <thedickster@...>
Date: 2009-02-06T05:49:45+09:00
Subject: Re: Integration/Antidifferentiation Program

By "using" maxima, I mean accessing maxima via a pipe in Ruby. I am 
developing a web based mathematical application that can integrate 
symbolically among other things. I don't have to use maxima or even ruby 
for that matter but I would like to if possible. I understand the 
concept of "system" access but during the execution I've hit two snags

First, If i run this code multiple times:

max = IO.popen("maxima", "w+")
max.puts "1+1;"
8.times {max.gets} #needed to rid of unneeded lines
response = max.gets
max.close

I get a new instances (found via ps -A) of  "ttys000 0:00.00 (sbcl)"
every time i run the code. And i can't kill this "sbcl" via "kill pid".
And after enough runs, I have to restart my computer.

Second, I am unable to just get the last line from maxima without 
running "8.times {max.gets}." If i try to execute "max.gets" after 
maxima has reached the last line, I get an error (and no return to 
ruby). While i can get around this problem, (via 8.times ) it isn't 
exactly best practices.

So, any suggestions??
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