Providing modern software environments to computer algebra systems

Abstract

Many computer algebra systems lack modern user-friendly software environment. Poorly designed interface depreciates rich mathematical ideas implemented in calculation engine. It obstructs extensive usage of such systems because of requiring special knowledge and skills, e.g., in programming, to use them. Another problem of computer algebra systems is multitude of data formats and the implied difficulty in simultaneous usage of different systems. We discuss basics of and requirements to interfaces for computer algebra systems and techniques of their implementation. Modern software engineering approaches permit to provide a toolkit for semi-automated development of software environments for computer algebra systems. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.