## What alternative notation of subscripts/superscripts that are also treated as SYMBOLS in Mathematica?

5

2

I tried to avoid using the subscript $A_0$ in the Module, and get an error with $A[0]$.

In[119]:= Module[{A[0] = 1},A[0]]

During evaluation of In[119]:= Module::lvset: Local variable specification {A[0]=1} contains A[0]=1, which is an assignment to A[0]; only assignments to symbols are allowed. >>

Out[119]= Module[{A[0] = 1}, A[0]]

EDIT:

Alternatively, I tried to define "A0, A1, A2", but failed with command

Sum[Ai, {i, 3}]

I just want a Symbol of combining a letter with a postfix of number, e.g. Ai, A_i, A[i], A(i),... any notation that is treated as a Symbol in MMa would be okay.

EDIT2:

For example,

In[130]:= Module[{A0 = 1},Sum[Symbol["A" <> ToString[i]], {i, 0, 3}]]

Out[130]= A0 + A1 + A2 + A3

But I wish to replace $A0$ with $1$, and get 1+ A1 + A2 + A3

This would work when A0 defined globally.

In[132]:= Sum[Symbol["A" <> ToString[i]], {i, A0 = 1; 0, 3}]

Out[132]= 1 + A1 + A2 + A3

What about using the Notation package, in particular, Symbolize?

– Simon – 2012-06-10T06:29:54.360

10

Honestly I would suggest to not create symbols with Symbol or ToExpression for that use case. You can very well use Downvalues as you tried in the first place also for local variables, you just can't make those definitions within the local symbols list, e.g. this will work:

Module[{A},A[0] = 1; Sum[A[i],{i,0,3}]]

As explained in answers to other questions (e.g. here) localication with Module will actually create a "new" symbol (something like A$573) which will in this case leak from the Module (this is called lexical scoping, at least in Mathematica speak. It can be argued whether what Module does actually qualifies for what that term is used in general). These leaking symbols can be used as a feature, but I doubt it is what you want in this case. The following might be closer to what you actually had in mind, although it also can have subtleties when used in more complicated circumstances (see again e.g. here for more details and links): Block[{A}, A[0] = 1; Sum[A[i],{i,0,3}]] There is also Array which I think should be mentioned in that context: Module[{A}, A[0] = 1; Total@Array[A, 4, 0]] With In[207]:= Module[{A}, A[0] = 1; Sum[A[i], {i, 0, 3}]], I got this  Out[207]= 1 + A$2471[1] + A$2471[2] + A$2471[3]. Is this normal? How to remove "$2471" here? – Osiris Xu – 2012-06-12T00:33:48.150 @OsirisXu: yes, that is the expected behaviour. As I mentioned, typically the Block construct seems more appropriate in this context, but it all depends. What you see with Module is the local variables leaking. You'll find quite some answers on this site where this is explained and where this is used as a feature (search for Module,scoping,local variables). – Albert Retey – 2012-06-12T08:55:07.327 Nice. Thank you. – Osiris Xu – 2012-06-12T20:25:30.210 5 One option is to assemble symbols as strings and use Symbol: Sum[ Symbol["x" <> ToString[i]], {i, 5} ] x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 + x5 For use in Module you will need to inject this symbol, e.g. using With: With[{sym = Symbol["x" <> ToString[3]]}, Module[{sym = 7}, sym + 3] ] 10 Also be aware of Unique and its function: Unique["x"] x6 Judging from your second example Module may be the wrong tool for the job. Consider: Block[{A0 = 1}, Sum[Symbol["A" <> ToString[i]], {i, 0, 3}]] Sum[Symbol["A" <> ToString[i]], {i, 0, 3}] /. A0 -> 1 Sum[a[i], {i, 0, 3}] /. a[0] -> 1 1 + A1 + A2 + A3 1 + A1 + A2 + A3 1 + a[1] + a[2] + a[3] This is nice. But this notation is not that convenient to use. Any other alternatives? I just want a Symbol of combining a letter with a postfix of number, e.g. Ai, A_i, A[i], A(i),... any notation that is treated as a Symbol in MMa would be okay. – Osiris Xu – 2012-06-10T00:40:50.643 @OsirisXu could you give an example application for this? That will help me determine methods that may be applicable. – Mr.Wizard – 2012-06-10T00:42:00.937 For example, In[130]:= Module[{A0 = 1},Sum[Symbol["A" <> ToString[i]], {i, 0, 3}]] Out[130]= A0 + A1 + A2 + A3 But I wish to replace$A0$with$1\$, and get 1+ A1 + A2 + A3 – Osiris Xu – 2012-06-10T00:45:59.340

@OsirisXu I need more context than that. What operation or procedure are you doing? For that example would Sum[A[i], {i, 0, 3}] /. A[0] -> 1 be acceptable? – Mr.Wizard – 2012-06-10T00:49:09.933

4In other words, @Osiris, what are you really trying to do? – J. M.'s ennui – 2012-06-10T00:51:38.607

@Mr.Wizard Yes, that does the trick. Thanks a lot. – Osiris Xu – 2012-06-10T00:54:44.023

@OsirisXu okay, I added it to my answer. Notice the form with Block as well, but make sure you understand what Block does before you start using it. Generally I think you'll have better luck with Replace or ReplaceAll (/.) for what I believe you're doing. – Mr.Wizard – 2012-06-10T00:58:59.653