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Consider the code below:

variable = Sin[x];
fun = Compile[{x}, variable ];
fun[1]

When I do this I get the error:

 CompiledFunction::cfse: Compiled expression Sin[x] should be a machine-size real number 
 CompiledFunction::cfex: Could not complete external evaluation at instruction 1; proceeding with uncompiled evaluation. >>

However, if I use:

 fun = Compile[{x}, Sin[x]];

Everything is fine. I need to compile as I presented first, the one which gives error because in my case variable is a huge very big expression. How can I achieve this goal?

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2 Answers 2

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You have a slight syntax error and a deeper problem binding the x in your "variable" to the x you have in the Compile function. Both can be fixed...

variable = Sin[x];
fun = Compile[{{x, _Real}}, Evaluate[variable]];
fun[1]

You must tell Compile that x is Real, hence the _Real (it only has zero dimensions so this is assumed).

The x in Compile[{{x etc) is local to Compile, its not the same x you have in Sin[x] so Evaluate forces variable to be evaluated before Compile looks at it.

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  • $\begingroup$ I have 63 variables. How can I generate {x,_Real} automatically for them? Suppose they are Subscript[a,i,j]. $\endgroup$
    – MOON
    Aug 14, 2014 at 15:22
  • $\begingroup$ I'm not sure that Complile will work with subscripted symbols (almost certain it wont infact). I'd convert these to a3b4 or something before even trying. $\endgroup$
    – Ymareth
    Aug 14, 2014 at 15:32
  • $\begingroup$ I don't know about a3b4. What is a3b4? $\endgroup$
    – MOON
    Aug 14, 2014 at 15:40
  • $\begingroup$ I would setup a set of replacement rules Subscript[a,i,j]->aibj where aibj are actual symbols (a1b1, a1b2 etc). Use those rules on your expression variable and in the Compile function. $\endgroup$
    – Ymareth
    Aug 14, 2014 at 15:42
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You could also use CompilationOptions

fun = Compile[{x}, variable, CompilationOptions -> {"InlineExternalDefinitions" -> True}];

This will automatically inline the definition of variable, which is unknown to the compiler otherwise.

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  • $\begingroup$ Can I use some unknown parameters in the variable? $\endgroup$
    – MOON
    Aug 14, 2014 at 15:50
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    $\begingroup$ @yashar I don't completely understand what you mean with "unknown parameter". Is x in your example "unknown"? If you have multiple parameters, e.g. variable2 = Sin[x + a]; fun2 = Compile[{x, a}, variable2, CompilationOptions -> {"InlineExternalDefinitions" -> True}]; then fun2[1, 2]` works, but fun2[1, b] will fall back to the uncompiled function. $\endgroup$
    – Karsten 7.
    Aug 14, 2014 at 16:15
  • $\begingroup$ I want to use this compiled function in NMinimize. Can NMinimize use a compiled function? $\endgroup$
    – MOON
    Aug 14, 2014 at 16:20
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    $\begingroup$ @yashar Yes, with "RuntimeOptions" -> {"EvaluateSymbolically" -> False}. See RuntimeOptions. $\endgroup$
    – Karsten 7.
    Aug 14, 2014 at 16:45

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