
FORM is a symbolic manipulation program which places its emphasis on 
large formulae and execution speed. It is not a computer algebra system 
in the style of Matematica, Maple, Reduce or Macsyma: it has relatively 
little built in knowledge. There are enough mechanisms to provide it 
with nearly all the knowledge that is needed for large scale symbolic 
calculations in mathematics, physics and engeneering. Those features 
that are still missing (this is version 1.0) can be added on request in 
version 2.0. Version 1.0 is free. It can be copied and redistributed to 
your hearts content, as long as no money is asked for it. Version 2.0 
and later will be a commercial product.

Currently FORM has been applied already for computations in Field 
theory, Lattice gauge theory (both in physics) and a problem in 
mathematical group theory (helping with solving a set of nonlinear 
equations that was too big for any other system).

Some of the strong points are:
1:	Very fast dealing with multivariate polynomials.
2:	Built in vectors, Kronecker delta's, Levi-Civita tensors.
3:	Extensive pattern matching.
4:	Can be reconfigured to fit well on the local system via a setup 
	file. Uses normally very little memory. Is usually hardly affected 
	by swapping (not applicable to the Atari of course).
5:	Reasonably well tested.
6:	(Field theory) Knows the trace algorithms of the Dirac algebra in 4 
	and in n dimensions.
7:	Manual has 250 pages (tutorial, syntax, examples).

If a problem is rather big it is usually best to switch to FORM and program 
the (usually limited) amount of knowlegde that your other program provides 
into the FORM language. This pays back handsomely in running time and the 
turnaround time may improve greatly (especially the second time around).

Currently FORM is available on:
	Atari ST	(1 Mbyte + hard disk)
	Apollo DN3000
	SUN4/Sparc station1
	VAX/VMS
	VAX/Ultrix
	Gould NP1 and PN9080
	Alliant
	Mac (Think-C)

Most of these executables can be picked up via anonymous ftp from
nikhefh.nikhef.nl
Also the dvi file of the manual can be found there.

If you use FORM 1.0 for a scientific publication I would appreciate it if you 
refer to the use of FORM. It would also be very nice to send a 
preprint/reprint to
	J.Vermaseren
	NIKHEF-H
	P.O.Box 41882
	1009DB Amsterdam
	The Netherlands

You may send suggestions, commentary and bug reports to

	t68@nikhef.nl


Jos Vermaseren
