[CRISP] 1 Introduction

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# 1 Introduction

The GAP package CRISP provides algorithms for computing subgroups of finite solvable groups related to a group class calC. In particular, it allows to compute calC-radicals and calC-injectors for Fitting classes (and Fitting sets) calC, calC-residuals for formations calC, and calC-projectors for Schunck classes calC. In order to carry out these computations, the group class calC must be represented by an algorithm which can decide membership in the group class. Moreover, additional information about the class can be supplied to speed up computations, sometimes considerably. This information may consist of other classes (such as the characteristic of the class), or of additional algorithms, for instance for the computation of residuals and local residuals, radicals, or for testing membership in related classes (such as the basis or boundary of a Schunck class).

Moreover, the present package contains algorithms for the computation of normal subgroups belonging to a given group class, including an improved method to compute the set of all normal subgroups of a finite solvable group, and methods to compute the socle and p-socles of a finite soluble group, as well as the abelian socle of any finite group. CRISP also provides basic support for classes (in the set theoretical sense). The algorithms used are described in Hof99, a preprint of which is included in the `doc` folder of the package (file `crisp.dvi`).

calC-projectors and calC-injectors of finite solvable groups arise as generalisations of Sylow and Hall subgroups, and have attracted considerable interest. They were first studied by Gaschütz Gas63, Schunck Sch67, and Fischer, Gaschütz and Hartley FGH67. In particular, cal C-injectors only exist in any finite solvable group if the group class calC is a Fitting class. Similarly, calC-projectors exist in any finite group G if and only if calC is a Schunck class. An extensive account of the subject can be found in DH92.

In the case when the class calC in question is a local formation (which is a special kind of Schunck class), algorithms for dealing with cal C-projectors and related subgroups of finite solvable groups are available also in the GAP package FORMAT by Eick and Wright; see also EW99. In order to use their methods, calC has to be described in terms of algorithms for the computation of residuals with respect to an integrated local function for calC.

The author would like to thank J. Neubüser and the Lehrstuhl D für Mathematik, RWTH Aachen, for an invitation, which made it possible to develop a first version of the algorithm for the computation of projectors. He is indebted to the GAP team, particularly Bettina Eick and Alexander Hulpke, for its advice, and to the anonymous referee, J. Neubüser, and C. R. B. Wright for their detailed comments on previous versions of CRISP.

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