DIMSYM

Symmetry determination and linear differential equation package

Author:
James Sherring
Managed by:
Geoff Prince (G.Prince@latrobe.edu.au)
School of Mathematics
LaTrobe University
Melbourne
Australia

Dimsym is a program primarily for the determination of symmetries of differential equations. It also can be used to compute symmetries of distributions of vector fields or differential forms on finite dimensional manifolds and also to solve linear partial differential equations.

To use its primary function the user specifies a system of ordinary and/or partial differential equations and the type of symmetry to be found (Lie (point), Lie- Backlund or some user-provided ansatz). Dimsym then produces the corresponding determining equations (a system of linear partial differential equations for the generator of the generic symmetry). It proceeds to solve these equations, reporting any special conditions required to produce a solution. Finally, Dimsym gives the generators of the symmetry group (which may of course be infinite dimensional).

The program allows the user to compute Lie brackets, vector derivatives and so on and it has an interface with the REDUCE package EXCALC so that all the machinery of calculus on manifolds can be utilised from within the program. Its use can be interactive or batch and there are extensive tracing options.

If you wish to know more about Dimsym you can retrieve all or part of the Dimsym distribution (excluding the source file) from

http://www.latrobe.edu.au/www/mathstats/Maths/Dimsym/


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