Project Graduation of Algebra project in Global Education and Learning Community

Interview with Alex Lam S.L. of project Algebra

Project Name: algebra

Summary: Developing application related to Algebra

Owner Name: Alex Lam S.L.

City: Cambridgeshire

Country: UK

Hi Alex, tell us a little about yourself. Education: 2nd year undergraduate in Natural Sciences (Physical) Profession: can't really get employed too seriously at this stage, can I? Current Employer: Hmm.... Hobbies: solving problems, in general.

What schools/universities did you attend? University of Cambridge & Girton College

Tell us a little about the project and why you started it. This is probably the project that most of you would be thinking of doing, once you have a strong passion into Mathematics / Sciences - and I do. The project does not start as straight-forward, though - I was trying to generalise the idea, such that a platform with tools ready for any programs to have a much stronger algebra manipulating power, which leaded to the born of AlgebraicMath. The development philosophy that I adopt is that after the very beginning of core implementation, several projects that would utilise the package should start developing at the same time, hence reduces total time of development all together but more importantly, served as a realistic guideline on how AlgebraicMath should grow - what features should there be / not to be. And here I am, back to the starting point - the obvious use of AlgebraicMath is, of course, to implement a software like Algebra - which is, as many would agree, a useful, intriguing, ambitious project.

What is the project's current status and plans for the future? Currently, a demo is released in order to gather opinions about what we should have to expand on the existing architecture. We are expected to push out a upgraded version in 2~3 months time (would be much faster if there aren't - guess what - exams taking place in the coming term)

What kind of help are you looking for on this project? As for help in general, spelling out your wishes with the functionality that you would like to see if a good start. The second way you could contribute though, is to build clients that have better looks and easier to be used; this can be done in any programming languages, (as the only specification is the protocol one, which is based on HTTP POST anyway) and we would be more than happy to give a hand if you ever need help with the development of it - just shout out in the forum.

Congratulations on your graduation Alex! Please let us know if the GELC can help you in the future.

If you would like your project spotlighted, please send an email to Daniel Brookshier at turbogeek(at)cluck.com