Overview

The theory and practice of computation in algebraic geometry and related domains, from a mathematical point of view, has generated an increasing interest both for its rich theoretical possibilities and its usefulness in applications in science and engineering. In fact, it is one of the master keys for future significant improvement of the computer algebra systems (e.g., Reduce, Macsyma, Maple, Mathematica, Axiom, Macaulay, etc.) that have become such useful tools for many scientists in a variety of disciplines. The major themes covered in this volume, arising from papers p- sented at the conference MEGA-92 were: - Effective methods and complexity issues in commutative algebra, projective geometry, real geometry, and algebraic number theory - Algebra-geometric methods in algebraic computing and applica- tions. MEGA-92 was the second of a new series of European conferences on the general theme of Effective Methods in Algebraic Geometry. It was held in Nice, France, on April 21-25, 1992 and built on the themes presented at MEGA-90 (Livomo, Italy, April 17-21, 1990). The next conference - MEGA-94 - will be held in Santander, Spain in the spring of 1994. The Organizing committee that initiatiod and supervises this bi- enniel conference consists of A. Conte (Torino), J. H. Davenport (Bath), A. Galligo (Nice), D. Yu. Grigoriev (Petersburg), J. Heintz (Buenos Aires), W. Lassner (Leipzig), D. Lazard (paris), H. M. MOller (Hagen), T. Mora (Genova), M. Pohst (DUsseldort), T. Recio (Santander), J. J.