Algorithms for the \(b\)-function and \(D\)-modules associated with a polynomial (Q1358926)

This article mainly contains two algorithms for computing the Bernstein-Sato polynomial (or \(b\)-function) associated to an \(n\)-variable polynomial \(f\) with coefficients in a field of characteristic zero. One of these algorithms appeared in [\textit{T. Oaku}, Duke Math. J. 87, No. 1, 115-132 (1997; Zbl 0893.32009)]. The main used tool is Gröbner bases theory for the Weyl algebra and in particular an adapted version for the Weyl algebra with parameters. As an application the author gives an algorithm to compute the algebraic local cohomology group associated to the polynomial \(f\). Details of the proof are in a previous paper by \textit{T. Oaku} [Proc. Japan Acad., Ser. A 72, No. 8, 173-178 (1996; Zbl 0893.32010)]. The algorithms are implemented in Kan and Risa/Asir packages. The article contains very useful calculations of \(b\)-functions for isolated and non-isolated singularities in two and three variables and two examples (the last one with parameters) of computation of the algebraic local cohomology group (and their characteristic varieties) associated to two surfaces in a 3-dimensional space. The reviewer would like to point out some comments about the references. The author considers that (p. 495) \dots{} Gröbner basis computation in the Weyl algebra (\dots) initiated by \textit{A. Galligo} [in: Computer algebra, EUROCAL '85, Proc. Eur. Conf., Linz/Austria 1985, Vol. 2, Lect. Notes Comput. Sci. 204, 413-421 (1985; Zbl 0634.16001)] which is not exact. At the reviewer knowledge there are at least two previous works on this subject: \textit{J. Briançon} and \textit{Ph. Maisonobe} [Enseign. Math., II. Sér. 30, 7-38 (1984; Zbl 0542.14008)] for the 1-dimensional case and the reviewer's Ph.D. thesis [\textit{F. Castro-Jiménez}, ``Théorème de division pour les opérateurs différentiels et calcul des multiplicités'', Univ. Paris VII, Oct-1984] for the general case. Concerning the rationality of the roots of \(b\)-functions it must be precised that in: ``Fourier integral operators and partial differential equations'', Lect. Notes Math. 459, 98-119 (1975; Zbl 0308.32007), by \textit{B. Malgrange} there is a proof of this result for isolated singularities.