GAP computer algebra system

GAP (Groups, Algorithms and Programming) is a computer algebra system for computational discrete algebra with particular emphasis on, but not restricted to computational group theory. GAP was developed at Lehrstuhl D für Mathematik (LDFM), RWTH Aachen, Germany from 1986 to 1997. After the retirement of J. Neubüser from the chair of LDFM, the development and maintenance of GAP is coordinated by the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Several users have contributed to the system via share packages which can be used in the same form as the main library. There are presently (Jul. '99) two versions in distribution:

• Version 4 .3 (GAP 4r3), incorporates several new basic features developed over the last years. In particular it provides much improved possibilities for defining mathematical structures of your own special interest.
• Version 3.4, patchlevel 4, (GAP 3.4.4) released April 1997 is still available as some of its features and share packages are not yet available for GAP 4. However it is not developed further any longer.

GAP and its sources, including share packages, data library and the manual, are distributed freely, subject to "copyleft" conditions (which are detailed on our web pages mentioned below). Please cite the GAP manual if you use GAP in research (again see the web page). GAP runs on any Unix system, under Windows 9x, and on Macintosh systems. It requires a minimum of 32 MB disk space, the full distribution (including all share packages and extensive data library) takes about 300 MB. To run GAP one needs a minimum of 20 MB of main memory, for most purposes 128 MB are sufficient. More details about the system, the software itself and instructions how to obtain and to install it can be found at http://www.gap-system.org. If you have no web access we are prepared to send you this information in other form. Please contact ``The GAP Group, Mathematical Institute, St. Andrews, Scotland'', Tel. +44/1334/463251, Fax 463278, e-mail gap@dcs.st-and.ac.uk.