Re: Function

Kira Yamato schreef:
> mAsterdam said:
>

>> vldm10 wrote:
>>> I think it will be good to have two definitions for the functions in
>>> your glossary.
>>> Definition1    A function from A to B is a rule that assigns, to each
>>> member of set A, exactly one member of set B.
>>>
>>> And second definition is similar to Jan's suggestion, but slightly
>>> changed:
>>> Definition2
>>> A function from A to B is a relation between A and B that associates
>>> each element of A with exactly one element of B.
>>>
>>> First definition says that a function do something. You can call it
>>> intutive definition of a function. Here the function in fact is a
>>> procedure as you mentioned.
>>> Second definition is set theoretic.
>>
>> Another difference I see with Jan's is a sense of direction.
>>
>> How about this:
>> cdt glossary proposal:
>>
>>>> [Codomain]
>>>> See function, math context.
>>>>
>>>> [Domain]
>>>> 1. Given a relation R, a domain is a set Sn such
>>>> that for each tuple (A1, A2, ...An, ...Am) in R,
>>>> An is an element of Sn.

Could you provide a better text?

> It is possible that a value exists in the
> domain Sn yet the relation has no corresponding tuple which holds that
> value for An.

Does the current text forbid that?

>>>> 2. A domain is a set of values: for example
>>>> "integers between 0 and 255",
>>>> "character strings less than 10 characters long",
>>>> "dates".
>>>> Sometimes used synonymously with type.

It is worm season, it seems :-)

>>>> 3. Domain of a function. See function, math context.

>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> [Function]
>>>> For now we have to live with different meanings
>>>> of _function_ when talking about databases:
>>>> "The function of this function is to get the tuples from B
>>>> that are functionally dependant on A."

Would s/meanings/uses/ take away your objection? If not, which one meaning?

>>>> Three different contexts, but just about the same meaning:
>>>>
>>>> 1. General
>>>> A purpose or use.
>>>>
>>>> 2. Math
>>>> A binary mathematical relation over two sets D and C that associates 
>>>> with each element in D exactly one element in C.
>>>> Set D is called the domain of the function, C its codomain.

IMHO this goes way beyond the glossaries purpose. However, if you have a simple replacement that would cover this it would be welcome.

>>>> 3. Software
>>>> A subroutine, procedure, or method.

I'll keep this for now. Let's hope somebody gets irritated enough to write a better piece.

>>>>
>>>> In both the math and software context, there is a sense of
>>>> direction from domain (input) to codomain (output).
>>>> For most purposes, this intuitive picture is good enough:
>>>>
>>>>             |------------|
>>>> --- x ---- >| f-machine  |------ f(x) ----- >
>>>>             |------------|
>>>>
>>>> Where x is input in the "f-machine" and f(x) is output.

>>>>
>>>> notes:
>>>>     every operator is a function
>>>>     every function is a relation

Thank you for your comments.

--
What you see depends on where you stand.