This is not a specific request most because I'm exactly sure what I'm requesting. First I really enjoy SMath and I understand that it is was created and geared for math; but math just like art is useless without application... :d ... I jest, but this is my plea to hopeful have SMath "geared" toward engineering in the future.

How SMath fits into the engineers desk -> Generally when I work on a project I am creating a calculation report. Most likely someone will need to review this report. SMath is nice because it is transparent and someone can quickly custom functions. Unlike excel which can be difficult to follow and prone to "easy" mistakes. SMath also gives you the opportunity to create custom calculations that can all be part of a single file which is easy to navigate (using areas) and when you are finished it is easy to print. It is simple to make changes which can update through out your calculation as well. Rather than having separate software for beams, columns, footings etc. So here are a few areas which I think could greatly improve things.

Here is my ideal setup:

Data matrices/tables:
Ideally these would be tables which are easy to edit (i.e. excel, spreadsheet). You could copy or import from excel to matrices. For example beam properties would be stored here. These could be quite large and currently seem to drastically reduce calc speed.

Functions / Calculators:
You create custom functions or calculators. i.e. beam analysis, steel beam design. Through out the page you call on these functions for input/output. Currently this works well for the most part. However, sometimes the program triggers recalculation of all these. This can lead to very long calc times and is frustrating when unintentional.


"Areas"
Areas are great for organizing the page. More improvement on deleting and adding space is needed with areas. Also maybe it is possible to control recalculation through the use of areas.

Format:
Currently the format that I would follow is to have a single page. At the top of the page I insert all the data matrices and functions. From there I have areas for
Loads
Roof Joist
Floor Beams
Columns
Footings
Lateral
This is alot in one page. Maybe it is better (faster) to create these as separate pages? What is the easiest way to link, "include (some issues with areas)"?

Attached is a typical calc to present the format discussed above.

Essentially their needs to be global values (i.e. the loads) but the Beam calculations could be run like a separate module and only regenerated when the use selects global recalc... maybe. I'm wondering if I'm on the right track or if there are better ways? Faster ways!?

Hello,

You could use the code snippets for most of your requests.

Also, there are Excel plugins that may help you with the tables.

Personally, when possible I prefer to embed my tables in matrices most of the time, to avoid becoming too much plugin dependent.

Wrote

to avoid becoming too much plugin dependent.

______________________________

That's the key issue with Smath. Once you have installed a "stable version"
from Andrey, you must be able to work and share your work with your clients
independently of plugins, so the work is tracable. Further, I noticed the
forum is invaded with the "Nike shoes" publicity spread in multiple categories.
To me, what's not machine coded is not protected.

Yes, Engineering efficiency means :
1. stable numerical compute
2. reasonable computating time
______________________________

This random pi demo fails a lot for n = 200 ............ = unstable
n = 1000 ... don't know if it will ever stops running ?..= too slow.

Another example not tested: Fourier fft
Smath will output fft & ifft from book style ... no problem
However, for efficiency, it MUST run the coded 'fft'.
Otherwise = almost useless.

Cheers all collabs, will read you in 3 weeks time.

Jean Giraud

Random Pi Valery.sm (75 КиБ) скачан 45 раз(а).

Wrote

Wrote

to avoid becoming too much plugin dependent.

That's the key issue with Smath.

I believe that the key "issue" with Smath is that (from what I see) it is being used by many people to do many different things, while there is only one (?) core developer who is not compensated for his time and efforts.

We need to appreciate Smath for what it is rather than it is not. When I learned that Smath does not have a specific feature (i.e. robust data exchange with EXCEL in real time) I taught myself basics of VB.NET and spent good 24 hours building what I think is the most functional plugin for work with EXCEL.

In short - I do not think Andrey will implement all features that we need - too many competing fields of interests. At the same time Andrey did give us tools to seamlessly integrate our own plugins and not worry about HOW our clients will get them - it is all in the cloud.