$Post with ReplaceAll [closed]

Question

I'd like to have a ReplaceAll applied to every output in my notebook. When I try this using $Post, e.g. by writing

$Post = /.{i^2 -> -1}

it doesn't work. Anyone know an alternative?

Answer 1

You have to read the documentation carefully:

$Post is a global variable whose value, if set, is applied to every output expression.

The important word is applied because it suggests, that you have to give a function which takes the output and does something with it. Knowing this, you could have started to search the Documentation Center for function or, if you already knew it, to write down such a Function

Function[output, output /. i^2 -> -1]

Then you look at the first 3 examples in the documentation of Function and you instantly see, that there are different equivalent forms:

Function[u, 3 + u][x]

Function[3 + #][x]

(3 + #) &[x]

The rest is, to read and study the documentation carefully.

Another approach would have been, to take the hint J.M. gave you and look at its FullForm

FullForm[(#/.{i^2->-1})&]
(* Function[ReplaceAll[Slot[1],List[Rule[Power[i,2],-1]]]] *)

There, you would have seen, that the only unknown things to you are Function and Slot. Again, use the Documentation Center and read the the help-pages.