The Scientific WorkPlace interface does not directly support recursive functions, but you can write recursive functions in MuPAD code and access the function using the Define MuPAD Name function.

An example of a simple function which finds the nth number in the fibonacci series can be written as follows in an ASCII editor (such as Notepad):

fibonacci := proc(n)
local x;
begin
   if n=1 then x := 0
   else
      if n=2 then x := 1:
   end_if:
   else
      x := fibonacci(n-2)+fibonnacci(n-1):
   end_if:
return(x);
end proc:
 

You can then save this function in a file named, say, fib.mu and access it as follows:

1. Choose Compute, Definitions, Define MuPAD name.

2. Enter

fibonacci(n)

as the MuPAD name.

3. Enter

f(n)

as the Scientific WorkPlace name. You can name this function anything you want. It is only important that the argument list of the MuPAD name and the Scientific WorkPlace name match.

4. Under "The MuPAD Name is a procedure", select "In MuPAD format file (.mu file)".

5. Enter the path and name of the fib.mu file created with the ASCII editor.

6. Click OK.

At this point, you should be able to evaluate f(5) and get 3.

A good book to use to learn the MuPAD programming language is "MuPAD Pro Computing Essentials, Second Edition". See http://www.mackichan.com/products/books/books.html to learn more about this book.