Open System

In contrast to most other symbolic math systems, REDUCE traditionally is completely open:

• REDUCE is written in a language RLISP, which incorporates the functionality of LISP in a user friendly syntax. At the same time RLISP is the language of application.

• Traditionally REDUCE is delivered with all sources. So the algorithmic basis is visible to any user. Even the REDUCE translator (compiling RLISP to LISP) is delivered as source code.

• Any internal REDUCE function and data structure can be accessed by the user directly (in symbolic style programming). Most of the REDUCE implementations contain a LISP compiler, such that the user can produce very efficient modules. REDUCE can be integrated into other (LISP-) packages as an algebraic engine.

• REDUCE inherits automatically from LISP the facility of dynamic loading of modules, of incremental compilation and dynamic function redefinition. Even the kernel of REDUCE is open for local modification. Obviously this is a dangerous feature where system integrity is concerned, but, on the other hand, an innovative user finds a rich testbed here.

One effect of the liberality of REDUCE is the large number of application packages written by users. Many of these packages now are now included in REDUCE or in the REDUCE Network Library.