Parallel Computer Algebra Software as a Web Component

In the field of computer algebra, joining separate computer algebra systems with individual strengths into problem solving environments is an important recent research direction. In this paper we describe how we wrapped a specialized computer algebra system, which uses shared-memory parallelism to speed up Grobner basis computations, into a Web component that can be used by other systems. By this component also a new algorithmic development in Grobner basis computations – the use of the Fractal Grobner Walk – was made available to various general purpose computer algebra systems in the form of a single optimized implementation. Previously, all of the important algorithmic improvements to an algorithm had to be reimplemented in the general purpose systems. Our implementation allows access to the Grobner basis computations via ‘intelligent’ graphical user interfaces and via scripting from existing general purpose algebra systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.