Up: mathematical computation

Computer Algebra Systems

Computer algebra systems vary a good deal in their scope and flexibility, and the boundaries that define such packages are vague. However, there should be little dispute that the packages listed below qualify.

Maple V

The Geometry Center is currently running Maple V Release 3. Maple can be invoked in a terminal window by typing maple. The NeXT notebook front end resides in /LocalApps while the X notebook front end is invoked via the command xmaple. It is available on the Macintoshes in the Geom Shared folder.

Maple is an extremely powerful and versatile package with a wide user base, especially in the educational community. Maple has been used extensively at the Center for the development of calculus curriculum materials and interactive web documents. Maple also interfaces directly with Geomview.

The best way to learn about Maple is by reading "First Leaves: A Tutorial Introduction to Maple V" available in the Center library. The language and library reference manuals are also available there. For further online information about Maple, consult the Maple homepage.

Mathematica

Currently, Mathematica 2.2 is available at the Geometry Center. It can be invoked in a terminal window by typing math. The Next notebook front end resides in /LocalApps, while the X notebook front end is invoked via the command xmath. It is available on the Macintoshes in the Geom Shared folder.

Mathematica, like Maple, is powerful and versatile with acceptance in the scientific community. If Maple is perceived as having a slight edge in the education sector, Mathematica leads as a research tool. Several research oriented Mathematica packages have been developed at the Center. It also interfaces directly with Geomview.

The principle reference for Mathematica is the book "Mathematica: A System for Doing Mathematics by Computer" available in the Center library. For further online information, consult the Wolfram Research homepage.

MATLAB

MATLAB is only available on the SGI and Sun computers at the Geometry Center. To start MATLAB, you must first set up your environment by issuing the command use matlab. Then, start up the program itself by typing matlab from the command prompt. To run MATLAB from a NeXT, start co-Xist, remotely log in to a Sun or SGI machine, redirect the output to the NeXT, and then start Matlab.

MATLAB is an X based computational environment which excels at matrix calculations. It also does high quality simulations through a module called SIMULINK, that provides the user easy mechanisms for controlling parameters, both of the simulation and the underlying numerical methods in its DE solvers, and so on. It also provides reasonably good data visualization tools.

The MATLAB manual is in the Center library. There is a mediocre online help system, though the introduction and demos are good. For further online information consult its publisher's homepage, or the University of Utah's matlab tutorial.

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Created: Fri Sep 8 11:39:00 1995 --- Last modified: Jun 18 1996