Basic Mathematics and Applications

Abstract

When developing software for mathematical computations, we meet, apart from questions of code verification and empirical testing, a number of tasks at a higher level of abstraction. These include

• (i) Devising or selecting suitable algorithms to solve the problems, and being able to understand how these work;

• (ii) Selecting the ‘best’ algorithms according to certain criteria of efficiency, generality etc.;

• (iii) Proving that the chosen algorithms will work correctly for the class of problem which they are intended to solve.

Roll up that map; it will not be wanted these ten years.

William Pitt The Younger