For the programming language used in this program, see Wolfram Language.
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Mathematica is split into two parts: the kernel and the front end. The kernel interprets expressions (Wolfram Language code) and returns result expressions, which can then be displayed by the front end.
Alternatives to the Mathematica front end include Wolfram Workbench—an Eclipse-based integrated development environment (IDE) that was introduced in 2006. It provides project-based code development tools for Mathematica, including revision management, debugging, profiling, and testing.[16]
There is also a plugin for IntelliJ IDEA-based IDEs to work with Wolfram Language code that in addition to syntax highlighting can analyze and auto-complete local variables and defined functions.[17] The Mathematica Kernel also includes a command line front end.[18]
Other interfaces include JMath,[19] based on GNU Readline and WolframScript[20] which runs self-contained Mathematica programs (with arguments) from the UNIX command line.
The file extension for Mathematica files is .nb and .m for configuration files.
Mathematica is designed to be fully stable and backwards compatible with previous versions.
Version 5.2 (2005) added automatic multi-threading when computations are performed on multi-core computers.[23] This release included CPU-specific optimized libraries.[24] In addition Mathematica is supported by third party specialist acceleration hardware such as ClearSpeed.[25]
As of Version 14, there are 6,602 built-in functions and symbols in the Wolfram Language.[28] Stephen Wolfram announced the launch of the Wolfram Function Repository in June 2019 as a way for the public Wolfram community to contribute functionality to the Wolfram Language.[29] At the time of Stephen Wolfram's release announcement for Mathematica 13, there were 2,259 functions contributed as Resource Functions.[30] In addition to the Wolfram Function Repository, there is a Wolfram Data Repository with computable data and the Wolfram Neural Net Repository for machine learning.[31]
Wolfram Mathematica is the basis of the Combinatorica package, which adds discrete mathematics functionality in combinatorics and graph theory to the program.[32]
Connections to other applications, programming languages, and services
Communication with other applications can be done using a protocol called Wolfram Symbolic Transfer Protocol (WSTP). It allows communication between the Wolfram Mathematica kernel and the front end and provides a general interface between the kernel and other applications.[33]
Wolfram Research freely distributes a developer kit for linking applications written in the programming language C to the Mathematica kernel through WSTP using J/Link.,[34] a Java program that can ask Mathematica to perform computations. Similar functionality is achieved with .NET /Link,[35] but with .NET programs instead of Java programs.
Links are also available to many third-party software packages and APIs.[43]
Mathematica can also capture real-time data from a variety of sources[44] and can read and write to public blockchains (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and ARK).[45]
In 2019, support was added for compiling Wolfram Language code to LLVM.[47]
Version 12.3 of the Wolfram Language added support for Arduino.[48]
Computable data
Mathematica is also integrated with Wolfram Alpha, an online answer engine that provides additional data, some of which is kept updated in real time, for users who use Mathematica with an internet connection. Some of the data sets include astronomical, chemical, geopolitical, language, biomedical, airplane, and weather data, in addition to mathematical data (such as knots and polyhedra).[49]
Reception
BYTE in 1989 listed Mathematica as among the "Distinction" winners of the BYTE Awards, stating that it "is another breakthrough Macintosh application ... it could enable you to absorb the algebra and calculus that seemed impossible to comprehend from a textbook".[50] Mathematica has been criticized for being closed source.[51] Wolfram Research claims keeping Mathematica closed source is central to its business model and the continuity of the software.[52][53]
