Up: mathematical computation

Specialized Mathematical Software

Mathematical research software comes in many varieties. One kind is designed for a specific purpose, such as solving a particular computational problem, or demonstrates a specific theorem or phenomenon. Such packages contribute to the infrastructure of the mathematical research community by facilitating intuitive, visual communication and understanding.

By contrast, another school of software design sets out to create a flexible research environment suitable for attacking a variety of problems. Software of this sort rarely implements particular algorithms or solves specific problems. Rather, it provides a collection of specialized tools that can be used by many researchers working in a common area to design their own algorithms, or solve their own problems.

For lack of better terms, call software of the former variety mathematical packages and software of the latter kind research environments. A great deal of software of both kinds has been developed at the Geometry Center as well as by people associated with the Center.

Research Environments -- Snappea, Evolver, Automata, Pisces and ds_tool.
Mathematical Packages -- AlgCurve, CRSolver, Linktool, evert, Kali, Kaleidotile, etc

Up: mathematical computation

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