First Command

First[List L]

Returns a list containing the first element of the list L.

Example: First[{1,2,3}] returns {1}.

To get the first element itself use e.g. Element Command.

First[List L, Number n of elements]

Returns a new list that contains just the first n elements of the list L.

First[Text]

Returns first character of the text.

First[Text, Number n of elements]

Returns the first n characters of the text.

Example: First["Hello",2] returns "He".

First[Locus, Number n of elements]

This command is useful for

• loci generated by SolveODE Command - It returns list points that were created in the first n steps of the numeric ODE-solving algorithm.
• loci generated using ShortestDistance Command and TravelingSalesman Command - it returns vertices of the graph; their order determines the path resp. circle in the graph.