Introduction Go to the first, previous, next , last section, table of contents .
Although they are quite powerful tools for learning math and solving particular problems they lack modern linguistical structures that allow for the creation of large-scale projects. The particular problem that led to the writing of the GiNaC framework is still a very active field of research, namely the calculation of higher order corrections to elementary particle interactions. There, theoretical physicists are interested in matching present day theories against experiments taking place at particle accelerators. The computations involved are so complex they call for a combined symbolical and numerical approach. But of course its applications are in no way restricted to theoretical physics.