ODE Software for MATLAB

dfield and pplane

the java versions

The java versions of dfield and pplane contain most of the features of the original MATLAB versions. Click on the appropriate button below to run the dfield or pplane applet.

If you do not see the applet buttons above, it means that your browser is not Java 1.1.6 enabled. There are several possible reasons for this, including the following.

You are running a browser that does not support Java 1.1.6,
There is a firewall around your internet access, or
Java has been deactivated in your browser preferences.

Most recent versions of Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer support Java 1.1.6. However, it is not automatically installed with Netscape Communicator 6. Be sure to choose the option to install it.

Printing

You can print the display figures from dfield and pplane using modern browsers. With Netscape 6 it is enabled by default. However, it is necessary to configure printing in Internet Explorer 5.5 before printing is possible. To do so perform the following steps. Notice that it will be necessary to restart your computer at the end of this procedure.

From the Tools menu choose "Internet Options".
Click the button labeled "Security".
Near the bottom, click the button labeled "Custom Level ...".
Click the button labeled "Java Custom Settings" on the bottom left of the screen.
Click the tab labeled "Edit Permissions".
In the menu look for "Unsigned Content --> Run Unsigned Content --> Additional Unsigned Permissions --> Printing". Under this heading, click "Enable.".
Exit out of all of the windows, making sure that your new option is activated.
Restart your computer.

References

The MATLAB versions of the programs dfield and pplane are described in some detail in the manual Ordinary Differential Equations using MATLAB by John Polking and David Arnold. The java versions are modelled after the MATLAB versions, so the descriptions in the Manual should suffice to explain the use of the java versions. The Manual is published by Prentice Hall.

Several textbooks on differential equations refer to and use dfield and pplane. Among them are Differential Equations and Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems by John Polking, Albert Boggess, and David Arnold. They are published by Prentice Hall.

Legal stuff

dfield and pplane are copyrighted in the name of John Polking. They are not in the public domain. However, they are being made available free for use in educational institutions. This offer does not extend to any application that is made for profit. Users who have such applications in mind should contact John Polking.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would contact John Polking, and tell him how you are using dfield and pplane, what level of course you are teaching, how many students you have, and what you think of the programs. If you acknowledge your use of the programs in this way you will be informed as new versions are released. Since changes are made as bugs are discovered and corrected and as good, new ideas are implemented, this will occur a few times each year.

John C. Polking polking@rice.edu>

Last modified: Weds Mar 6 2002