## `Pref::timesDot` -- determines the output of products

#### Introduction

`Pref::timesDot(`str`)` sets the output of the multiplication symbol in products to the string `str`.

#### Call(s)

`Pref::timesDot()`
`Pref::timesDot(str)`
`Pref::timesDot(i)`
`Pref::timesDot(NIL)`

#### Parameters

`str` | - | a `string`
`i` | - | an `integer` between 1 and 255
`NIL` | - | the MuPAD object `NIL`

#### Returns

the previously defined value

#### Side Effects

Changes the output of products.

#### Related Functions

`_mult`, `print`

#### Details

- `Pref::timesDot` determines the output of the multiplication symbol between factors of a product in `PRETTYPRINT` output mode.
- `Pref::timesDot(``)` returns the current multiplication symbol.
- `Pref::timesDot(`str`)` sets the multiplication symbol to the given string `str`.
- `Pref::timesDot(`i`)` interprets `i` as an ASCII code and sets the multiplication symbol to the corresponding ASCII character.
- `Pref::timesDot(`NIL`)` restores the default value: the blank character.

#### Example 1

By default factors of products are separated by blanks.

    >> a*b

                                        a b

This can be changed by calling `Pref::timesDot` with an argument of type `string`.

    >> Pref::timesDot(" * "):
       a*b

                                       a * b

183 is the ASCII code for the character ''.

    >> Pref::timesDot(183):
       a*b

                                        a·b

`NIL` restores the default output.

    >> Pref::timesDot(NIL):
       a*b

                                        a b

#### Changes

- new function

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