Computational invariant theory. With two appendices by Vladimir L. Popov and an addendum by Nobert A. Campo and Vladimir L. Popov (Q501090)

The first edition of the volume ``Computational invariant theory'' by H. Derksen and G. Kemper, within the Springer series ``Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences'' and its subseries ``Invariant Theory and Algebraic Transformation groups'', appeared thirteen years ago [Zbl 1011.13003] and was reviewed in detail by P. Schenzel (Halle/Saale) back then. In the last decade, the field of computational invariant theory has undergone some significant further developments, and that is why the authors decided to publish the current second, enlarged, revised and updated edition of their encyclopedic treatise. In fact, the size of the book as increased by more than one third, that is by about 100 additional pages, which is essentially due to the following major changes: \begin{itemize} \item[1.] The presentation of the material has been reorganized, and the sections of the five chapters have been subdivided into several, more specific subsections. \item[2.] A great variety of further, more recent topics and results in computational invariant theory have been adapted to the text of the new edition, where most of those appear as new, separate subsections of the respective chapters. Altogether, there are more than ten additional such topics reflecting recent important results and developments, mainly with respect to new algorithms for computing invariants of finite groups, invariant fields and localizations of invariant rings, and invariants of special infinite groups. \item[3.] This edition also contains two new appendices (Appendix B and Appendix C), written by V. L. Popov, on algorithms concerning the relation between orbit closures with respect to certain group actions (Appendix B), on the one hand, and a particular stratification of the Hilbert nullcone on the other (Appendix C). Furthermore, there is an addendum by N. A'Campo and V. L. Popov, in which the source code of a program for computing this stratification of the nullcone is delivered. \end{itemize} Apart from these major changes and enhancements in the current second edition, the authors have also taken the opportunity to correct some mistakes occurring in the first edition of the book. On the other hand, the global structure of the entire text has been left largely intact, and therefore we may refer to the review of the original [Zbl 1011.13003] as for the precise contents of this encyclopedic handbook, which are here briefly indicated by the headlines of the five chapters and three appendices. \begin{itemize} \item[Chapter] Constructive ideal theory (Gröbner bases, elimination ideals, Syzygy modules, Hilbert series, and normalization). \item[Chapter] Invariant theory (invariant rings, reductive groups, categorical quotients, separating invariants, Hilbert's nullcone, and the Cohen-Macaulay property of invariant rings). \item[Chapter] Invariant theory of finite groups (degree bounds, primary invariants, secondary invariants, properties of invariant rings, algorithms for computing invariants of finite groups). \item[Chapter] Invariant theory of infinite groups (linearly reductive groups and their invariant rings, algorithms for computing invariants and Hilbert series, invariant fields and localizations of invariant rings). \item[Chapter] Applications of invariant theory (survey). \item[Appendix] Linear algebraic groups (summary of basic notions and facts). \item[Appendix] Is one of two orbits in the closure of the other? (examples and a deciding algorithm). \item[Appendix] Stratification of the nullcone (computing algorithm and examples). \item[Addendum] to Appendix C: The source code of HNC (Hilbert's nullcone).\smallskip \end{itemize} Now as before, the focus of the book is an algorithmic and computer-based methods in invariant theory, but the theoretic foundations are explained as well, sometimes even with full proofs. Each chapter ends with its own related, very rich bibliography for detailed reading, and many instructive examples illustrate the wealth of abstract material. All together, this encyclopedic treatise gives a very comprehensive and lucid overview of the state of art in computational invariant theory and its applications, including numerous recent topics and results, and therefore it may serve as a highly useful source for advanced students and researchers in commutative algebra, algebraic geometry, computer algebra, group theory, discrete mathematics, information theory, computer science, and related fields of science.