To use any of the IMSL C Math Library functions, you first must write a program in C to call the function. Each function conforms to established conventions in programming and documentation. We give first priority in development to efficient algorithms, clear documentation, and accurate results. The uniform design of the functions makes it easy to use more than one function in a given application. Also, you will find that the design consistency enables you to apply your experience with one IMSL C Math Library function to all other IMSL functions that you use.

The include file <imsl.h> is used in all of the examples in this manual. This file contains prototypes for all IMSL-defined functions; the spline structures, Imsl_f_ppoly, Imsl_d_ppoly, Imsl_f_spline, and Imsl_d_spline; enumerated data types, Imsl_quad, Imsl_write_options, Imsl_page_options, Imsl_ode, and Imsl_error; and the IMSL-defined data types f_complex (which is the type float complex) and d_complex (which is the type double complex).