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I want to create a function that eliminates repeated elements from a list without changing the order.

For example:

DeleteRepeated[{a, b, 5, a, x + y, a + b, x + y, 7, 5}]

should return:

{a, b, 5, x + y, a + b, 7}

How can I do that in a recursive way? I want to use less then possible the functions done from Mathematica.

PS: It is just for exercise

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1 Answer 1

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You can use my very old solution for this:

f[x_] := (f[x]=Sequence[]; x)

DeleteRepeated[list_] := Internal`InheritedBlock[{f},
    f /@ list
]

Then:

DeleteRepeated[{a, b, 5, a, x + y, a + b, x + y, 7, 5}]

{a, b, 5, x + y, a + b, 7}

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  • $\begingroup$ DeleteRepeated is a function already done from Mathematica. I want to avoid this. $\endgroup$
    – Mateus
    Sep 26, 2018 at 17:38
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    $\begingroup$ @Mateus No, DeleteRepeated is not a built-in function, the built-in function is called DeleteDuplicates. $\endgroup$
    – Carl Woll
    Sep 26, 2018 at 17:39
  • $\begingroup$ You are right. I'm sorry. $\endgroup$
    – Mateus
    Sep 26, 2018 at 17:43
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    $\begingroup$ @Carl Woll In 2015, Version 10.2 introduced Nothing. That was after your 'very old' and clever solution. Using Nothing: f[x_] := (f[x] = Nothing; x) $\endgroup$ Sep 26, 2018 at 18:44

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