MuPAD is a computer algebra project of the MathPAD group at the University of Paderborn. MuPAD was designed as a parallel system. The design and implemen tation of MuPAD grew out of the desire to efficiently handle large data generated by algorithms used to investigate the group theoretical structure of nonlinear sys tems. Nevertheless, MuPAD outgrew this original goal and was developed as a general purpose system and should be used as such. MuPAD had two major design goals. As already mentioned, firstly we wanted to prm.ide a tool for fast and efficient handling of large data. This goal was motivated by the special problems which came up in our research on nonlinear systems, where data of several GB are not unusual. As a consequence of this MuPAD is a parallel computer algebra system working on the basis of a shared memor)" machine. Special interfaces, simulating hared memory, will be provided for machines with a different architecture. A sequential version of MuPAD is available which, nevertheless, in its high-end language provides parallel constructs for programming. In this sequential version parallEl blocks are executed at random, thus allowing for logical tests of parallel programs on sequential machines. The sequential MuPAD version is the topic of this refErence manual. The second major design goal was to make sure that future versions of MuPAD could be the basis for a system capable of learning during interactive use."

1.1 MuPAD: An Overview MuPAD is a computer algebra system which, up to now, has been developed mainly at the University of Paderborn. Our aim was to design a program that can handle mathematical problems and computations of a new order of magnitude. Therefore, MuPAD was designed as a parallel system. However, MuPAD also runs on sequential computers, from small size machines to more powerful workstations. Right from the start we were fascinated by the implications computer algebra systems can have on the way how mathematical formulae and techniques will be used in future applications of mathematics in science and engineering. We believe that the impact of modern technology is most beneficial for the scien- tific development if systems are created which facilitate the inclusion of the knowledge of the mathematical community. Therefore MuPAD was designed as a service to the community in the hope that the mathematical community reciprocates some of its knowledge and expertise to the system. As a conse- quence MuPAD is available to non-profit educational and scientific institutions free of charge.