- Syms it up.
syms
verb; clipping
To use the Matlab syms command to declare a set of variables as symbolic meaning that, in calculations referencing them, Matlab will provide the symbolic solution, using the symbolic variables themselves in the returned solution as opposed to requiring th The original clipping was done to reduce typing time for Matlab programmers/users. The term appears to have been created on the spot for ease of communication (nonce derivation), but it may be used more frequently among students discussing Matlab. It could possibly be used when referring to other symbolic programs as well, but I have not heard it used in other cases.
Etymology : The word is derived from the Matlab command, which comes from a clipping of the adjective, “symbolic,” which refers to processing the actual variables without having to define them as specific numbers.
Source : Conversation at problem session [referring to Matlab]
Last modified: 10 June 2008