Mathematica gets a thousand new features

A new version of Mathematica has been released with "nearly a thousand new computational and interface features", according to developer Wolfram Research.

Mathematica 6 is aimed at scholars and maths-centric scientists and is "the most significant upgrade to the Mathematica system since Version 1.0 was released in 1988" according to the company founded by British-born Stephen Wolfram, who caused a minor sensation in 2002 with a book on the implications of the mathematics of organic growth.

The program is used by university students, academics and commercial mathematicians to carry out intense simulations covering financial to astronomy problems.

It also performs a range of mathematical calculations without having to compile code first, which is described as "instant interactivity" and means simulations can be turned into fully interactive applications, sometimes within seconds.

Notable new features include real-time 3D graphics, 3D printing and scanning support, equational theorem proving, integrated graphics editing and drawing, geometric computing and extended number theory support.

Version 6 costs £2035 exc VAT for professional use; academic and upgrade discounts are available.

Examples of the new interactive capabilities have been posted onto Wolfram's website.

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