Maple is a multi-paradigm programming language and symbolic, numeric computing environment, generally used in mathematic applications.
Maple also covers other aspects of technical computing, such as visualization, data analysis, matrix computation, and connectivity. Multidomain physical modeling and code generation is accomplished through a toolbox, known as MapleSim. The language allows users to enter mathematics in traditional mathematical notation, with support for numeric computations, arbitrary precision, and symbolic computation and visualization. Custom user interfaces can also be created.
Maple is a dynamically-typed imperative-style programming language, similar to Pascal in some ways, with interfaces to other languages, such as C, C#, Java, MATLAB, and Visual Basic, as well as Microsoft Excel. The language supports MathML, a W3C format used to represent and interpret mathematical expressions, including displaying them in webpages.
Development on Maple began at the University of Waterloo in 1980. The university was considering the purchase of a computer powerful enough to run Macsyma, one of the oldest general-purpose computer algebra systems. Rather than make that purchase, they decided to develop a computer algebra system that would run on lower-cost computers.
The first version of Maple came out in December of 1980, although the language was first demonstrated in 1982. Within a year, more than fifty universities had installed Maple on their machines.
In 1984, the University of Waterloo arranged for Watcom Products to license and distribute a commercial version of the language. In 1988, Waterloo Maple was formed to manage the distribution of the software. Operating as Maplesoft, the company conducts most of the development of the language and algebraic system today, although university research labs around the world also contribute to its continued development.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, versions were released for the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows, both of which included a graphical user interface.
Between 1995 and 2005, Maple lost a large part of its market share to competitors and, In 2009, Maple and Maplesoft were acquired by Cybernet Systems, a Japanese software retailer.
The Maple engine is used in other products created by Maplesoft, including Moebius, an online testing suite, as well as MapleNet, MapleSim, and the Maple Quantum Chemistry Toolbox.
The Maple programming language and computing system is the focus of resources listed in this guide. Software tools designed to facilitate Maple programming are also appropriate here, as are any other implementations of the language, guides, tutorials, user groups, or forums.
Recommended Resources
Created by Professor Kevin G. TeBeest, and hosted by Kettering University, the site offers a tutorial for the Maple programming language. Divided into chapters, it begins with the basics, then moves on to solutions of equations, derivatives, and integrals, approximating areas/integrals, solving differential equations, extreme values of functions, matrix algebra/linear systems, including norms and the condition number, and formatting printing and plot options.
http://paws.kettering.edu/~ktebeest/maple/
Supported by Maplesoft, MapleCloud is a repository of applications and documents for the Maple programming language and algebraic computing system. While all of the documents in MapleCloud can be viewed, MapleCloud also makes use of interactive components like sliders, dials, and math entry boxes that can be used live by anyone, including those who do not have Maple. Its contents may be accessed through a web browser, through a free Maple Player, or within the Maple system.
https://maple.cloud/
Created by Maplesoft, MaplePrimes is a web community of users and developers of Maple who are interested in sharing experiences, techniques, and opinions about Maple, MapleSim, and related products, as well as topics relating to math and computing in general. Using questions and answers, general posts, and open editorial policy, MaplePrimes serves as a community support vehicle. Maplesoft staff, as well as a group of trusted MaplePrimes moderators, facilitate discussion.
https://www.mapleprimes.com/
Located in Waterloo, Ontario, Maplesoft was incorporated under the name of Waterloo Maple Software in 1988, largely for the purpose of marketing and licensing a commercial version of the Maple programming language and algebraic computing system. Versions for academics, student use, or personal use are available, along with Maple toolboxes, and MapleSim, each of which is highlighted, along with books and study guides, video, and complimentary training materials.
https://www.maplesoft.com/
The SCG is a research group within the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science in the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Affiliated with the Ontario Research Centre in Computer Algebra, the chief goal of the group is the design, analysis, and implementation of algorithms and systems for computer algebra and symbolic computation, much of which is incorporated into the Maple computer algebra system.
https://www.scg.uwaterloo.ca/
