Computational Homology

Homology.- Preview.- Cubical Homology.- Computing Homology Groups.- Chain Maps and Reduction Algorithms.- Preview of Maps.- Homology of Maps.- Computing Homology of Maps.- Extensions.- Prospects in Digital Image Processing.- Homological Algebra.- Nonlinear Dynamics.- Homology of Topological Polyhedra.- Tools from Topology and Algebra.- Topology.- Algebra.- Syntax of Algorithms.

From the reviews:

"...This is an interesting and unusual book written with the intention of serving several purposes. One of them is to demonstrate that methods of algebraic topology, in particular homology theory, that have proved remarkably successful in several areas of pure mathematics can provide powerful, and in some cases indispensable, tools in a number of areas of applied mathematics and science. The second is to provide the necessary theory and "technology" for such applications. This means on the one hand providing all the necessary mathematical foundations of the subject, including definitions and theorems, and on the other hand efficient computational techniques capable of dealing with real life situations. Thus, the book stresses algorithmic and computational approaches; and in fact includes computer code written in a programming language specially designed for this purpose. It is addressed to a varied audience of computer scientists, experimental scientists and engineers while at the same time trying to retain the interest of mathematicians. With this in mind the authors have attempted to produce a modular book, which allows a number of different reading approaches. The basic subdivision of the book is into three parts. The last part contains all the basic pre-requisites from algebra and topology: the most essential facts about Euclidean spaces, point set topology, abelian groups, vector spaces and matrix algebras. This part also contains a description of the programming language used to describe the algorithms found in the book..." --MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS

"This is an interesting and unusual book with the intention of serving several purposes. One of them is to demonstrate that methods of algebraic topology, in particular homology theory ... . The second is to provide the necessary theory and 'technology' for such applications. ... the book admirably achieves all its stated purposes. In addition it will provide much neededammunition