computer science

MXparser

MXparser is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand MXparser rather than just read about it. In short: mXparser is an open-source mathematical expressions parser/evaluator providing abilities to calculate various expressions at a run time. Expressions definitions are given as plain text, then verified in terms of grammar / syntax, finally calculated.

Key takeaways

MXparser belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect MXparser to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of MXparser from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

mXparser is an open-source mathematical expressions parser/evaluator providing abilities to calculate various expressions at a run time. Expressions definitions are given as plain text, then verified in terms of grammar / syntax, finally calculated. Library source code is maintained separately for Java and C#, providing the same API for Java/JVM, Android, .NET and Mono (Common Language Specification Compliant).

Main features / usage examples mXparser delivers functionalities such as: basic calculations, implied multiplication, built-in constants and functions, numerical calculus operations, iterated operators, user defined constants, user defined functions, user defined recursion, Unicode mathematical symbols support.

Basic operators Source: mXparser supports basic operators, such as: addition '+', subtraction '-', multiplication '*', division '/', factorial '!', power '^', modulo '#'.

Implied multiplication Source:

Binary relations Source: It is possible to combine typical expressions with binary relations (such as: greater than '>', less than '<', equality '=', inequality '<>', greater or equal '>=', lower or equal '<='), as each relation evaluation results in either '1' for true outcome, or '0' for false.

Boolean logic Source: Boolean logic also operates assuming equivalence of '1 as true' and '0 as false'. Supported Boolean operators include: AND conjunction, OR disjunction, NAND Sheffer stroke, NOR, XOR Exclusive OR, IMP Implication, CIMP Converse implication, NIMP Material nonimplication, CNIMP Converse nonimplication, EQV Logical biconditional, Negation.

Built-in mathematical functions Source: Supported common mathematical functions (unary, binary and variable number of arguments), including: trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions, logarithm functions, exponential function, hyperbolic functions, Inverse hyperbolic functions, Bell numbers, Lucas numbers, Stirling numbers, prime-counting function, exponential integral function, logarithmic integral function, offset logarithmic integral, binomial coefficient and others.

Built-in math constants Source: Built-in mathematical constants, with high precision.

Iterated operators Source: Iterated summation and product operators.

Numerical differentiation and integration Source: mXparser delivers implementation of the following calculus operations: differentiation and integration.

Prime numbers support Source:

Unicode mathematical symbols support Source:

Elements defined by user Library provides API for creation of user-defined objects, such as: constants, arguments, functions.

User-defined constants Source:

User-defined arguments Source:

User-defined functions Source:

User-defined variadic functions Source:

User-defined recursion Source:

Requirements Source:

Java: JDK 1.5 or higher .NET/Mono: framework 2.0 or higher

Documentation Tutorial Javadoc API specification

mXparser - source code Source code is maintained and shared on GitHub.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with MXparser

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what MXparser claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to MXparser before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about MXparser ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of MXparser

In research: MXparser appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses MXparser in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: MXparser is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics .NET software, 2010 software, Computer algebra systems, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for MXparser outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study MXparser in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what MXparser means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain MXparser out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is MXparser in simple terms?

Why does MXparser matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study MXparser?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on MXparser.