@comment -*-texinfo-*-
@comment $Id: NEWS.texi,v 1.109 2008-10-07 17:37:01 Singular Exp $
@comment this file contains the News about Singular versions
@comment Unix
@ifclear VERSION
@include version.texi
@end ifclear

@majorheading NEWS in SINGULAR @value{VERSION}

@ifclear singularmanual
@macro nref{what}
\what\
@end macro
@end ifclear

@ifset singularmanual
@macro nref{what}
@ref{\what\}
@end macro
@end ifset

@heading News for version @value{VERSION}

@itemize @bullet
@item
new coefficients: Z, Z/m, Z/(2^n) (@nref{Rings and orderings})
@item
new handling of the default argument in libraries (@nref{Parameter list})
@end itemize

@heading New @sc{Singular} functions
@itemize @bullet
@item
new command: kernel (@nref{kernel})
@item
new command: sqrfree (@nref{sqrfree})
@item
command changed: the first argument to @code{monitor} should be an ASCII link.
(@nref{monitor})
@end itemize

@heading Internal Changes
@itemize @bullet
@item
handling of large input for std improved
@item
@nref{interred} implemented in a different way
@item
@nref{gcd} over algebraic extensions implemented in a different way
@item new build target: libsingular.a (for gfan etc.)
@item code variants now depend on CPU type, not OS
@item better test for builtin limits (@nref{Limitations})
@end itemize

@heading New @sc{Singular} libraries
@itemize @bullet
@item
new library: redcgs.lib (@nref{redcgs_lib}: Reduced Comprehensive Groebner Systems)
@item
new library: tropical.lib (@nref{tropical_lib}: Computations in Tropical Geometry)
@item
new library: polymake.lib (@nref{polymake_lib}:
Computations with polytopes and fans, interface to polymake and TOPCOM)
@item
new library: decodegb.lib (@nref{decodegb_lib}: Generating and solving systems of polynomial equations for decoding and finding the minimum distance of linear codes)
@item
new library: dmodapp.lib (@nref{dmodapp_lib}: applications of D-modules)
@item
new library: bfct.lib global (@nref{bfct_lib}: Bernstein-Sato polynomial)
@item
new library: discretize.lib @nref{discretize_lib}: tools for the generation of finite difference schemes)
@item 
new library: nchomolog.lib @nref{nchomolog_lib}: Noncommutative Homological Algebra
@item 
new library: freegb.lib @nref{freegb_lib}: Twosided Noncommutative Groebner bases in Free Algebras
@item
contributed library: cimonom.lib @nref{cimonom_lib}
@item
contributed library: phindex.lib @nref{phindex_lib}
@item
elim.lib (@nref{elim_lib}): @nref{elim}, @nref{nselect}, @nref{select}, @nref{select1}: changed syntax
@item
homolog.lib: kernel renamed to @nref{hom_kernel}. 
@*(See also @nref{kernel}, @nref{alg_kernel}).
@end itemize

@heading News for version 3-0-4

@itemize @bullet
@item
licence changed: due to the need to use stuff under (L)GPL3,
all parts of @sc{Singular} are licenced under GPL (resp. LGPL) version 2, or (at your option) version 3
@item
new command: (@nref{univariate}): test polynomials for being univariate.
@item
new command: (@nref{variables}): list of all variables occurring in a polynomial, ideal or matrix.
@item
syntax change: @nref{ncalgebra} should be substituted by @nref{nc_algebra}.
@code{ncalgebra} is now depreciated, but still supported
@item 
library @nref{nctools_lib} updated to use @code{nc_algebra},@*
@nref{Weyl}, @nref{Exterior}, @nref{findimAlgebra} do not change the current ring
but return the new structure
@item
kernel: use Conway polynomials and support more finite fields
@end itemize

@heading News in version 3-0-3

The version 3-0-3 is stabilizing release,
a result of a long beta test and the integration of a lot of small
fixes which were on our waiting list for integration.

It contains also  a lot of new features:
@itemize @bullet
@item
licence changed: omalloc and MP are now (also) available under GPL;
that means that all parts of @sc{Singular} are licenced under GPL (resp. LGPL).
@item
factory, libfac, Singular updated for gcc 4.1.x
@item
kernel updated for the optional use of boost.
@item
can now be built as a library.
@item
new operator @code{a:b} gives an @code{intvec} of length @code{b} with constant entries @code{a}
@item
new command: (@nref{chinrem}): lifting via chinese remainder theorem
@item
new command: (@nref{interpolation}): ideal of points with given multiplicities
@item
non-commutative kernel subsystem was rewritten in order to support specific algebras more efficiently.
Implemented algebras at the moment: super-commutative algebras (in particular exterior algebras).
@item
@nref{std} et al.: new selection strategy for reductions (@nref{option} (length)).
@item
@nref{reduce}: new strategy for selection and normalization.
@item
@nref{simplify} slightly changed: does not omit zero polynomial unless
specified.
@item
new library: compregb.lib (@nref{compregb_lib}): comprehensive Groebner base system
@item
new library: kskernel.lib (@nref{kskernel_lib}): kernel of the kodaira-spencer map for irreducible plane curve singularities
@item
new library: modstd.lib (@nref{modstd_lib}): Groebner base computations
over the rational numbers via modular computations
@item
new library: noether.lib (@nref{noether_lib}): Noether normalization of an ideal(not nessecary homogeneous)
@item
new library: atkins.lib (@nref{atkins_lib}): the elliptic curve primality test of Atkin
@item
new library: aksaka.lib (@nref{aksaka_lib}): primality testing after Agrawal, Saxena, Kayal
@item
new library: arcpoint.lib (@nref{arcpoint_lib}): truncations of arcs at a singular point
@item
new library: resgraph.lib (@nref{resgraph_lib}): visualization of resolution data.
@item
new library: realrad.lib (@nref{realrad_lib}): computation of the real radical
over the rational numbers and extensions thereof
@item
new library: hyperel.lib (@nref{hyperel_lib}): divisors in the jacobian of hyperelliptic curves
@item
new library: curvepar.lib (@nref{curvepar_lib}): space curves
@item
new library: sagbi.lib (@nref{sagbi_lib}): subalgebras bases analogous to Groebner bases for ideals
@item
new library: surfex.lib (@nref{surfex_lib}): visualizing and rotating surfaces
@item
new library: cimonom.lib (@nref{cimonom_lib}): determines if the toric ideal of an affine monomial curve is a complete intersection.
@item
@nref{sheafcoh_lib}: new experimental functions, in particular @nref{sheafCohBGG2}
@item
library @code{ncall.lib} merged into @nref{all_lib}
@item
library center.lib (@code{center_lib}) renamed to @code{central.lib} (@nref{central_lib})
@item
@nref{nctools_lib}: new functions for super-commutative algebras (i.e. @nref{SuperCommutative}, @nref{IsSCA}, @nref{AltVarStart}, @nref{AltVarEnd})
@item
resolve.lib: blow ups revised (@nref{resolve_lib})
@item
new algorithms in primdec.lib (@nref{primdec_lib}): radical et al.
@item
improved version of @nref{slimgb}, incorporated into @nref{groebner},
strategy change in groebner
@item
finvar.lib: the algorithm of @nref{secondary_char0} is now used in general in the
non-modular case (@nref{finvar_lib})
@item
finvar.lib: new algorithm for @nref{irred_secondary_char0} (@nref{finvar_lib})
@item
finvar.lib: new function @nref{irred_secondary_no_molien} (@nref{finvar_lib})
@item
finvar.lib: new functions for computing minimal generating sets of
invariant rings of finite groups in the non-modular case: @nref{invariant_algebra_reynolds} for finite
matrix groups and @nref{invariant_algebra_perm} for permutation groups (@nref{finvar_lib})
@item
operation for sparse matrices improved: multiplication, prune, conversion to module
@c @item
@c experimental: @code{python} / @code{ipython} interface
@end itemize

@heading News in version 3-0-2

The version 3-0-2 is mainly a bug fix release,
but it contains also some new features:
@itemize @bullet
@item
factory, libfac updated for gcc 4.1.x
@item
configure/speed improved for 64bit architectures
@item
new library: dmod.lib (@nref{dmod_lib})
@item
new library: perron.lib (@nref{perron_lib})
@item
improved center.lib: revised implementation, new functions (sa_reduce etc.)
@item
revised ncalg.lib (@nref{ncalg_lib}): new algebras, U(sl_n) and U(g_2) changed to conform GAP.
@item
new algorithms in primdec.lib (@nref{primdec_lib}): radical et al.
@item
improved version of @nref{slimgb}, incorporated into @nref{groebner}
@item
finvar.lib: new algorithm for @nref{secondary_char0}, which is a drastic improvement
(@nref{finvar_lib}).
@item
finvar.lib: new function @nref{irred_secondary_char0} (@nref{finvar_lib}).
@item
finvar.lib: new function @nref{rel_orbit_variety}, complementing @nref{relative_orbit_variety}
(@nref{finvar_lib}).
@item
improved module generator (@code{modgen})
@item
experimental: new type @nref{bigint}
@c @item
@c experimental: @code{python} / @code{ipython} interface
@item
more architectures: Solaris on x86/opteron, ...
@item
build process improved: builds automatically without patches on 64bit architectures
@end itemize

@heading NEWS in version 3-0-1
The version  3-0-1 is mainly a bug fix release,
but it contains also some new features:
@itemize @bullet
@item
NTL upgraded to version 5.4
@item
new library: absfact.lib @nref{absfact_lib}
@item
new procedures in primdec.lib: @nref{absPrimdecGTZ}
@item
new procedures in standard.lib: @nref{weightKB}
@item
build process improved: new make target @code{install_all}
@item
improved version of @nref{slimgb}, incorporated into @nref{groebner}
@item
arithmetic in Z/pZ for architecture x84_64 improved (by 25 %)
@end itemize

@heading NEWS in version 3-0-0

The version 3-0-0 is the first in the new
release series version 3-0.

Singular version 3 has a greater functionality and an improved architecture.
Major new features are:
@itemize
@item
@nref{Dynamic modules}
@item
non-commutative extension @nref{Non-commutative subsystem PLURAL}
@item
name spaces (@nref{package})
@item
easy manipulation of rings (@nref{ringlist})
@item
improved speed of maps (@nref{subst}, @nref{map})
@item
a new algorithm for Groebner base computations: @nref{slimgb}.
@item
improved factorization (integration of NTL, factorization over algebraic extensions,
zeroset.lib)
@item
improved gcd of polynomials (including bug fixes)
@item
ports to more architectures including automatic building from source (fink on Mac, ebuild on Gentoo)
@item
more help browsers supported, user extendable (help.cnf)
@item
better support of graded modules
@item
many bugs fixed
@end itemize
Besides theses internal changes, Singular version 3 offers many new
features and functionalities (which were partly already incorporated in
the 2-1 pre-release series).

@heading Factorizing algorithms revisited
Starting with version 2-0-4, we use NTL (of Victor Shoup) for factoring
univariate polynomials. The multivariate factorization code in libfac/factory
now also works over algebraic extension fields.

@heading New @sc{Singular} libraries

@table @asis
@item @nref{control_lib}
algebraic analysis tools for System and Control Theory
@item @nref{mregular_lib}
procedures for computing the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity
@item @nref{mprimdec_lib}
procedures for primary decomposition of modules
@item @nref{gmspoly_lib}, @nref{gmssing_lib}
procedures for the Gauss-Manin connection of a singularity
@item @nref{resolve_lib}, @nref{reszeta_lib}
resolution of singularities and applications
@item @nref{rootsmr_lib}
counting the number of real roots
@item @nref{sheafcoh_lib}
computing cohomology of sheaves and Tate resolution
@item @nref{signcond_lib}
computing realizable sign conditions
@item @nref{rootsur_lib}
counting number of real roots of univariate polynomial
@item @nref{grwalk_lib}
Groebner and Pertubation walk
@end table

@heading Changes in @sc{Singular} libraries
Many procedures were moved into different libraries,
the documentation of libraries was generally improved.

All procedures which used to change the current ring return now
the newly created ring.
@table @asis
@end table

@heading New @sc{Singular} functions

@table @asis
@item @nref{ringlist}
manipulation of rings
@item @nref{slimgb}
a new algorithm to compute Groebner bases
@item @nref{exportto}
transfer an identifier to the specified package
@item @nref{importfrom}
generate a copy of an identifier from the specified package in the current package
@item @nref{frwalk}
fractal walk to change monomial orderings
@end table

@heading @sc{Singular} functions whose syntax/semantics has changed
@table @asis
@item @nref{degree}
outputs degree and dimension instead of returning an int
@item @nref{attrib}
new attribute: @code{rowShift}
@end table

@heading Noncommutative Extension @sc{Plural}

Starting with version 3-0-0, @sc{Singular} features a
noncommutative extension @sc{Plural}. It allows to
set and to compute within noncommutative algebras
 with PBW basis. Among available algorithms are Groebner
bases for left modules, syzygies and resolutions.

Together with @sc{Plural} come the following libraries:

@table @asis
@item @code{center.lib}
computes generators of the center and centralizer subalgebras up
to a given degree resp. up to a given number of generators
@item @nref{involut_lib}
determines linear antiautomorphisms (involutions) and automorphisms
@item @nref{gkdim_lib}
computes a Gel'fand-Kirillov dimension for modules
@item @nref{ncalg_lib}
includes ready-to-use funtions for defining many important
 noncommutative algebras
@item @nref{ncdecomp_lib}
computes a decomposition of module by its central characters
@item @nref{ncalg_lib}, @nref{nctools_lib}
contain numerous useful tools for noncommutative algebras
@item @nref{qmatrix_lib}
procedures, related to quantum matrices and minors
@end table

@heading Internal Changes
@table @asis
@item new mapping code
@c @item non-commutative extension (Plural)
@item factory revised
(gcd, factorizing polynomial over algebraic extension fields,...)
@end table

@heading Porting

@itemize @bullet
@item Singular is available for ix86-Linux,
SunOS-5, IRIX-6, ix86-Win (runs on Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/XP),
FreeBSD, MacOS X, x86_64-Linux (AMD64/Opteron/EM64T),
IA64-Linux
@end itemize