Dynagraph's user interface is modeled after that of Maple, a symbolic algebra software produced by Waterloo Maple Inc. Unlike Maple, Dynagraph has no symbolic manipulation capability to speak of; its strong point is its OpenGL-based nifty graphics.
Dynagraph's statements must be terminated either by a semicolon (;) or a colon (:). Either is referred to as a terminator in this documentation. The effects of the two terminators are generally identical; distinctions and exceptions are noted below.
Long statements may be broken up into several lines. Dynagraph does not consider a statement complete until the terminator has been seen. For instance the following broken line is a legitimate input:
> plot3d(x^2+y^2, x=-1..1, y=-1..1,
scaling=constrained, style=wireframe);
Conversely, several short statements may be given on one line:
> r:=sqrt(x^2+y^2); u:=r-x; v:=r+x;
> p1 := plot3d(...);
or
> p1 := display({...});
a semicolon-terminated statement performs the assignment
and displays the graph. A colon-terminated statement
performs the assignment but does not display the graph.
quit and exit which end
a dynagraph session do not require terminators.
> !date
should not have a terminator since everything following the
exclamation mark is passed to the shell for interpretation.