X-Git-Url: https://www.ginac.de/ginac.git//ginac.git?p=ginac.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=ginac%2Fmatrix.cpp;h=52a1f1b423cd4b3eafea7a3b8c6d8a185565d26c;hp=d6091aa4c1b568c18cdcde9f0944160724e4df1e;hb=052e9928511dd77d1d5d489b2a61b75579cc44e3;hpb=ba0fa799375b03d3e8d512b0a6b2b6f1ef14e6e5

diff --git a/ginac/matrix.cpp b/ginac/matrix.cpp
index d6091aa4..52a1f1b4 100644
--- a/ginac/matrix.cpp
+++ b/ginac/matrix.cpp
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  *  Implementation of symbolic matrices */
 
 /*
- *  GiNaC Copyright (C) 1999-2000 Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
+ *  GiNaC Copyright (C) 1999-2015 Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
  *
  *  This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
  *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -17,78 +17,45 @@
  *
  *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
  *  along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
- *  Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
+ *  Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
  */
 
-#include <algorithm>
-#include <map>
-#include <stdexcept>
-
 #include "matrix.h"
-#include "archive.h"
 #include "numeric.h"
 #include "lst.h"
-#include "utils.h"
-#include "debugmsg.h"
+#include "idx.h"
+#include "indexed.h"
+#include "add.h"
 #include "power.h"
 #include "symbol.h"
+#include "operators.h"
 #include "normal.h"
+#include "archive.h"
+#include "utils.h"
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <map>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <stdexcept>
+#include <string>
 
-#ifndef NO_NAMESPACE_GINAC
 namespace GiNaC {
-#endif // ndef NO_NAMESPACE_GINAC
 
-GINAC_IMPLEMENT_REGISTERED_CLASS(matrix, basic)
+GINAC_IMPLEMENT_REGISTERED_CLASS_OPT(matrix, basic,
+  print_func<print_context>(&matrix::do_print).
+  print_func<print_latex>(&matrix::do_print_latex).
+  print_func<print_tree>(&matrix::do_print_tree).
+  print_func<print_python_repr>(&matrix::do_print_python_repr))
 
 //////////
-// default constructor, destructor, copy constructor, assignment operator
-// and helpers:
+// default constructor
 //////////
 
-// public
-
 /** Default ctor.  Initializes to 1 x 1-dimensional zero-matrix. */
-matrix::matrix() : inherited(TINFO_matrix), row(1), col(1)
-{
-	debugmsg("matrix default constructor",LOGLEVEL_CONSTRUCT);
-	m.push_back(_ex0());
-}
-
-matrix::~matrix()
-{
-	debugmsg("matrix destructor",LOGLEVEL_DESTRUCT);
-	destroy(false);
-}
-
-matrix::matrix(const matrix & other)
+matrix::matrix() : row(1), col(1), m(1, _ex0)
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix copy constructor",LOGLEVEL_CONSTRUCT);
-	copy(other);
-}
-
-const matrix & matrix::operator=(const matrix & other)
-{
-	debugmsg("matrix operator=",LOGLEVEL_ASSIGNMENT);
-	if (this != &other) {
-		destroy(true);
-		copy(other);
-	}
-	return *this;
-}
-
-// protected
-
-void matrix::copy(const matrix & other)
-{
-	inherited::copy(other);
-	row = other.row;
-	col = other.col;
-	m = other.m;  // STL's vector copying invoked here
-}
-
-void matrix::destroy(bool call_parent)
-{
-	if (call_parent) inherited::destroy(call_parent);
+	setflag(status_flags::not_shareable);
 }
 
 //////////
@@ -101,157 +68,148 @@ void matrix::destroy(bool call_parent)
  *
  *  @param r number of rows
  *  @param c number of cols */
-matrix::matrix(unsigned r, unsigned c)
-  : inherited(TINFO_matrix), row(r), col(c)
+matrix::matrix(unsigned r, unsigned c) : row(r), col(c), m(r*c, _ex0)
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix constructor from unsigned,unsigned",LOGLEVEL_CONSTRUCT);
-	m.resize(r*c, _ex0());
+	setflag(status_flags::not_shareable);
 }
 
 // protected
 
 /** Ctor from representation, for internal use only. */
 matrix::matrix(unsigned r, unsigned c, const exvector & m2)
-  : inherited(TINFO_matrix), row(r), col(c), m(m2)
+  : row(r), col(c), m(m2)
+{
+	setflag(status_flags::not_shareable);
+}
+matrix::matrix(unsigned r, unsigned c, exvector && m2)
+  : row(r), col(c), m(std::move(m2))
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix constructor from unsigned,unsigned,exvector",LOGLEVEL_CONSTRUCT);
+	setflag(status_flags::not_shareable);
+}
+
+/** Construct matrix from (flat) list of elements. If the list has fewer
+ *  elements than the matrix, the remaining matrix elements are set to zero.
+ *  If the list has more elements than the matrix, the excessive elements are
+ *  thrown away. */
+matrix::matrix(unsigned r, unsigned c, const lst & l)
+  : row(r), col(c), m(r*c, _ex0)
+{
+	setflag(status_flags::not_shareable);
+
+	size_t i = 0;
+	for (auto & it : l) {
+		size_t x = i % c;
+		size_t y = i / c;
+		if (y >= r)
+			break; // matrix smaller than list: throw away excessive elements
+		m[y*c+x] = it;
+		++i;
+	}
 }
 
 //////////
 // archiving
 //////////
 
-/** Construct object from archive_node. */
-matrix::matrix(const archive_node &n, const lst &sym_lst) : inherited(n, sym_lst)
+void matrix::read_archive(const archive_node &n, lst &sym_lst)
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix constructor from archive_node", LOGLEVEL_CONSTRUCT);
+	inherited::read_archive(n, sym_lst);
+
 	if (!(n.find_unsigned("row", row)) || !(n.find_unsigned("col", col)))
 		throw (std::runtime_error("unknown matrix dimensions in archive"));
 	m.reserve(row * col);
-	for (unsigned int i=0; true; i++) {
+	// XXX: default ctor inserts a zero element, we need to erase it here.
+	m.pop_back();
+	auto first = n.find_first("m");
+	auto last = n.find_last("m");
+	++last;
+	for (auto i=first; i != last; ++i) {
 		ex e;
-		if (n.find_ex("m", e, sym_lst, i))
-			m.push_back(e);
-		else
-			break;
+		n.find_ex_by_loc(i, e, sym_lst);
+		m.push_back(e);
 	}
 }
+GINAC_BIND_UNARCHIVER(matrix);
 
-/** Unarchive the object. */
-ex matrix::unarchive(const archive_node &n, const lst &sym_lst)
-{
-	return (new matrix(n, sym_lst))->setflag(status_flags::dynallocated);
-}
-
-/** Archive the object. */
 void matrix::archive(archive_node &n) const
 {
 	inherited::archive(n);
 	n.add_unsigned("row", row);
 	n.add_unsigned("col", col);
-	exvector::const_iterator i = m.begin(), iend = m.end();
-	while (i != iend) {
-		n.add_ex("m", *i);
-		++i;
+	for (auto & i : m) {
+		n.add_ex("m", i);
 	}
 }
 
 //////////
-// functions overriding virtual functions from bases classes
+// functions overriding virtual functions from base classes
 //////////
 
 // public
 
-basic * matrix::duplicate() const
+void matrix::print_elements(const print_context & c, const char *row_start, const char *row_end, const char *row_sep, const char *col_sep) const
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix duplicate",LOGLEVEL_DUPLICATE);
-	return new matrix(*this);
+	for (unsigned ro=0; ro<row; ++ro) {
+		c.s << row_start;
+		for (unsigned co=0; co<col; ++co) {
+			m[ro*col+co].print(c);
+			if (co < col-1)
+				c.s << col_sep;
+			else
+				c.s << row_end;
+		}
+		if (ro < row-1)
+			c.s << row_sep;
+	}
 }
 
-void matrix::print(std::ostream & os, unsigned upper_precedence) const
+void matrix::do_print(const print_context & c, unsigned level) const
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix print",LOGLEVEL_PRINT);
-	os << "[[ ";
-	for (unsigned r=0; r<row-1; ++r) {
-		os << "[[";
-		for (unsigned c=0; c<col-1; ++c)
-			os << m[r*col+c] << ",";
-		os << m[col*(r+1)-1] << "]], ";
-	}
-	os << "[[";
-	for (unsigned c=0; c<col-1; ++c)
-		os << m[(row-1)*col+c] << ",";
-	os << m[row*col-1] << "]] ]]";
+	c.s << "[";
+	print_elements(c, "[", "]", ",", ",");
+	c.s << "]";
 }
 
-void matrix::printraw(std::ostream & os) const
+void matrix::do_print_latex(const print_latex & c, unsigned level) const
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix printraw",LOGLEVEL_PRINT);
-	os << "matrix(" << row << "," << col <<",";
-	for (unsigned r=0; r<row-1; ++r) {
-		os << "(";
-		for (unsigned c=0; c<col-1; ++c)
-			os << m[r*col+c] << ",";
-		os << m[col*(r-1)-1] << "),";
-	}
-	os << "(";
-	for (unsigned c=0; c<col-1; ++c)
-		os << m[(row-1)*col+c] << ",";
-	os << m[row*col-1] << "))";
+	c.s << "\\left(\\begin{array}{" << std::string(col,'c') << "}";
+	print_elements(c, "", "", "\\\\", "&");
+	c.s << "\\end{array}\\right)";
 }
 
-/** nops is defined to be rows x columns. */
-unsigned matrix::nops() const
+void matrix::do_print_python_repr(const print_python_repr & c, unsigned level) const
 {
-	return row*col;
+	c.s << class_name() << '(';
+	print_elements(c, "[", "]", ",", ",");
+	c.s << ')';
 }
 
-/** returns matrix entry at position (i/col, i%col). */
-ex matrix::op(int i) const
+/** nops is defined to be rows x columns. */
+size_t matrix::nops() const
 {
-	return m[i];
+	return static_cast<size_t>(row) * static_cast<size_t>(col);
 }
 
 /** returns matrix entry at position (i/col, i%col). */
-ex & matrix::let_op(int i)
+ex matrix::op(size_t i) const
 {
-	GINAC_ASSERT(i>=0);
 	GINAC_ASSERT(i<nops());
 	
 	return m[i];
 }
 
-/** expands the elements of a matrix entry by entry. */
-ex matrix::expand(unsigned options) const
+/** returns writable matrix entry at position (i/col, i%col). */
+ex & matrix::let_op(size_t i)
 {
-	exvector tmp(row*col);
-	for (unsigned i=0; i<row*col; ++i)
-		tmp[i] = m[i].expand(options);
-	
-	return matrix(row, col, tmp);
-}
-
-/** Search ocurrences.  A matrix 'has' an expression if it is the expression
- *  itself or one of the elements 'has' it. */
-bool matrix::has(const ex & other) const
-{
-	GINAC_ASSERT(other.bp!=0);
-	
-	// tautology: it is the expression itself
-	if (is_equal(*other.bp)) return true;
-	
-	// search all the elements
-	for (exvector::const_iterator r=m.begin(); r!=m.end(); ++r)
-		if ((*r).has(other)) return true;
+	GINAC_ASSERT(i<nops());
 	
-	return false;
+	ensure_if_modifiable();
+	return m[i];
 }
 
-/** evaluate matrix entry by entry. */
+/** Evaluate matrix entry by entry. */
 ex matrix::eval(int level) const
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix eval",LOGLEVEL_MEMBER_FUNCTION);
-	
 	// check if we have to do anything at all
 	if ((level==1)&&(flags & status_flags::evaluated))
 		return *this;
@@ -267,40 +225,70 @@ ex matrix::eval(int level) const
 		for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c)
 			m2[r*col+c] = m[r*col+c].eval(level);
 	
-	return (new matrix(row, col, m2))->setflag(status_flags::dynallocated |
-											   status_flags::evaluated );
+	return (new matrix(row, col, std::move(m2)))->setflag(status_flags::dynallocated |
+	                                                      status_flags::evaluated);
 }
 
-/** evaluate matrix numerically entry by entry. */
-ex matrix::evalf(int level) const
+ex matrix::subs(const exmap & mp, unsigned options) const
 {
-	debugmsg("matrix evalf",LOGLEVEL_MEMBER_FUNCTION);
-		
-	// check if we have to do anything at all
-	if (level==1)
-		return *this;
-	
-	// emergency break
-	if (level == -max_recursion_level) {
-		throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::evalf(): recursion limit exceeded"));
-	}
-	
-	// evalf() entry by entry
-	exvector m2(row*col);
-	--level;
+	exvector m2(row * col);
 	for (unsigned r=0; r<row; ++r)
 		for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c)
-			m2[r*col+c] = m[r*col+c].evalf(level);
-	
-	return matrix(row, col, m2);
+			m2[r*col+c] = m[r*col+c].subs(mp, options);
+
+	return matrix(row, col, std::move(m2)).subs_one_level(mp, options);
+}
+
+/** Complex conjugate every matrix entry. */
+ex matrix::conjugate() const
+{
+	std::unique_ptr<exvector> ev(nullptr);
+	for (auto i=m.begin(); i!=m.end(); ++i) {
+		ex x = i->conjugate();
+		if (ev) {
+			ev->push_back(x);
+			continue;
+		}
+		if (are_ex_trivially_equal(x, *i)) {
+			continue;
+		}
+		ev.reset(new exvector);
+		ev->reserve(m.size());
+		for (auto j=m.begin(); j!=i; ++j) {
+			ev->push_back(*j);
+		}
+		ev->push_back(x);
+	}
+	if (ev) {
+		return matrix(row, col, std::move(*ev));
+	}
+	return *this;
+}
+
+ex matrix::real_part() const
+{
+	exvector v;
+	v.reserve(m.size());
+	for (auto & i : m)
+		v.push_back(i.real_part());
+	return matrix(row, col, std::move(v));
+}
+
+ex matrix::imag_part() const
+{
+	exvector v;
+	v.reserve(m.size());
+	for (auto & i : m)
+		v.push_back(i.imag_part());
+	return matrix(row, col, std::move(v));
 }
 
 // protected
 
 int matrix::compare_same_type(const basic & other) const
 {
-	GINAC_ASSERT(is_exactly_of_type(other, matrix));
-	const matrix & o = static_cast<matrix &>(const_cast<basic &>(other));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_exactly_a<matrix>(other));
+	const matrix &o = static_cast<const matrix &>(other);
 	
 	// compare number of rows
 	if (row != o.rows())
@@ -322,6 +310,243 @@ int matrix::compare_same_type(const basic & other) const
 	return 0;
 }
 
+bool matrix::match_same_type(const basic & other) const
+{
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_exactly_a<matrix>(other));
+	const matrix & o = static_cast<const matrix &>(other);
+	
+	// The number of rows and columns must be the same. This is necessary to
+	// prevent a 2x3 matrix from matching a 3x2 one.
+	return row == o.rows() && col == o.cols();
+}
+
+/** Automatic symbolic evaluation of an indexed matrix. */
+ex matrix::eval_indexed(const basic & i) const
+{
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<indexed>(i));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<matrix>(i.op(0)));
+
+	bool all_indices_unsigned = static_cast<const indexed &>(i).all_index_values_are(info_flags::nonnegint);
+
+	// Check indices
+	if (i.nops() == 2) {
+
+		// One index, must be one-dimensional vector
+		if (row != 1 && col != 1)
+			throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): vector must have exactly 1 index"));
+
+		const idx & i1 = ex_to<idx>(i.op(1));
+
+		if (col == 1) {
+
+			// Column vector
+			if (!i1.get_dim().is_equal(row))
+				throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): dimension of index must match number of vector elements"));
+
+			// Index numeric -> return vector element
+			if (all_indices_unsigned) {
+				unsigned n1 = ex_to<numeric>(i1.get_value()).to_int();
+				if (n1 >= row)
+					throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): value of index exceeds number of vector elements"));
+				return (*this)(n1, 0);
+			}
+
+		} else {
+
+			// Row vector
+			if (!i1.get_dim().is_equal(col))
+				throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): dimension of index must match number of vector elements"));
+
+			// Index numeric -> return vector element
+			if (all_indices_unsigned) {
+				unsigned n1 = ex_to<numeric>(i1.get_value()).to_int();
+				if (n1 >= col)
+					throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): value of index exceeds number of vector elements"));
+				return (*this)(0, n1);
+			}
+		}
+
+	} else if (i.nops() == 3) {
+
+		// Two indices
+		const idx & i1 = ex_to<idx>(i.op(1));
+		const idx & i2 = ex_to<idx>(i.op(2));
+
+		if (!i1.get_dim().is_equal(row))
+			throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): dimension of first index must match number of rows"));
+		if (!i2.get_dim().is_equal(col))
+			throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): dimension of second index must match number of columns"));
+
+		// Pair of dummy indices -> compute trace
+		if (is_dummy_pair(i1, i2))
+			return trace();
+
+		// Both indices numeric -> return matrix element
+		if (all_indices_unsigned) {
+			unsigned n1 = ex_to<numeric>(i1.get_value()).to_int(), n2 = ex_to<numeric>(i2.get_value()).to_int();
+			if (n1 >= row)
+				throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): value of first index exceeds number of rows"));
+			if (n2 >= col)
+				throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): value of second index exceeds number of columns"));
+			return (*this)(n1, n2);
+		}
+
+	} else
+		throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::eval_indexed(): matrix must have exactly 2 indices"));
+
+	return i.hold();
+}
+
+/** Sum of two indexed matrices. */
+ex matrix::add_indexed(const ex & self, const ex & other) const
+{
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<indexed>(self));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<matrix>(self.op(0)));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<indexed>(other));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(self.nops() == 2 || self.nops() == 3);
+
+	// Only add two matrices
+	if (is_a<matrix>(other.op(0))) {
+		GINAC_ASSERT(other.nops() == 2 || other.nops() == 3);
+
+		const matrix &self_matrix = ex_to<matrix>(self.op(0));
+		const matrix &other_matrix = ex_to<matrix>(other.op(0));
+
+		if (self.nops() == 2 && other.nops() == 2) { // vector + vector
+
+			if (self_matrix.row == other_matrix.row)
+				return indexed(self_matrix.add(other_matrix), self.op(1));
+			else if (self_matrix.row == other_matrix.col)
+				return indexed(self_matrix.add(other_matrix.transpose()), self.op(1));
+
+		} else if (self.nops() == 3 && other.nops() == 3) { // matrix + matrix
+
+			if (self.op(1).is_equal(other.op(1)) && self.op(2).is_equal(other.op(2)))
+				return indexed(self_matrix.add(other_matrix), self.op(1), self.op(2));
+			else if (self.op(1).is_equal(other.op(2)) && self.op(2).is_equal(other.op(1)))
+				return indexed(self_matrix.add(other_matrix.transpose()), self.op(1), self.op(2));
+
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Don't know what to do, return unevaluated sum
+	return self + other;
+}
+
+/** Product of an indexed matrix with a number. */
+ex matrix::scalar_mul_indexed(const ex & self, const numeric & other) const
+{
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<indexed>(self));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<matrix>(self.op(0)));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(self.nops() == 2 || self.nops() == 3);
+
+	const matrix &self_matrix = ex_to<matrix>(self.op(0));
+
+	if (self.nops() == 2)
+		return indexed(self_matrix.mul(other), self.op(1));
+	else // self.nops() == 3
+		return indexed(self_matrix.mul(other), self.op(1), self.op(2));
+}
+
+/** Contraction of an indexed matrix with something else. */
+bool matrix::contract_with(exvector::iterator self, exvector::iterator other, exvector & v) const
+{
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<indexed>(*self));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<indexed>(*other));
+	GINAC_ASSERT(self->nops() == 2 || self->nops() == 3);
+	GINAC_ASSERT(is_a<matrix>(self->op(0)));
+
+	// Only contract with other matrices
+	if (!is_a<matrix>(other->op(0)))
+		return false;
+
+	GINAC_ASSERT(other->nops() == 2 || other->nops() == 3);
+
+	const matrix &self_matrix = ex_to<matrix>(self->op(0));
+	const matrix &other_matrix = ex_to<matrix>(other->op(0));
+
+	if (self->nops() == 2) {
+
+		if (other->nops() == 2) { // vector * vector (scalar product)
+
+			if (self_matrix.col == 1) {
+				if (other_matrix.col == 1) {
+					// Column vector * column vector, transpose first vector
+					*self = self_matrix.transpose().mul(other_matrix)(0, 0);
+				} else {
+					// Column vector * row vector, swap factors
+					*self = other_matrix.mul(self_matrix)(0, 0);
+				}
+			} else {
+				if (other_matrix.col == 1) {
+					// Row vector * column vector, perfect
+					*self = self_matrix.mul(other_matrix)(0, 0);
+				} else {
+					// Row vector * row vector, transpose second vector
+					*self = self_matrix.mul(other_matrix.transpose())(0, 0);
+				}
+			}
+			*other = _ex1;
+			return true;
+
+		} else { // vector * matrix
+
+			// B_i * A_ij = (B*A)_j (B is row vector)
+			if (is_dummy_pair(self->op(1), other->op(1))) {
+				if (self_matrix.row == 1)
+					*self = indexed(self_matrix.mul(other_matrix), other->op(2));
+				else
+					*self = indexed(self_matrix.transpose().mul(other_matrix), other->op(2));
+				*other = _ex1;
+				return true;
+			}
+
+			// B_j * A_ij = (A*B)_i (B is column vector)
+			if (is_dummy_pair(self->op(1), other->op(2))) {
+				if (self_matrix.col == 1)
+					*self = indexed(other_matrix.mul(self_matrix), other->op(1));
+				else
+					*self = indexed(other_matrix.mul(self_matrix.transpose()), other->op(1));
+				*other = _ex1;
+				return true;
+			}
+		}
+
+	} else if (other->nops() == 3) { // matrix * matrix
+
+		// A_ij * B_jk = (A*B)_ik
+		if (is_dummy_pair(self->op(2), other->op(1))) {
+			*self = indexed(self_matrix.mul(other_matrix), self->op(1), other->op(2));
+			*other = _ex1;
+			return true;
+		}
+
+		// A_ij * B_kj = (A*Btrans)_ik
+		if (is_dummy_pair(self->op(2), other->op(2))) {
+			*self = indexed(self_matrix.mul(other_matrix.transpose()), self->op(1), other->op(1));
+			*other = _ex1;
+			return true;
+		}
+
+		// A_ji * B_jk = (Atrans*B)_ik
+		if (is_dummy_pair(self->op(1), other->op(1))) {
+			*self = indexed(self_matrix.transpose().mul(other_matrix), self->op(2), other->op(2));
+			*other = _ex1;
+			return true;
+		}
+
+		// A_ji * B_kj = (B*A)_ki
+		if (is_dummy_pair(self->op(1), other->op(2))) {
+			*self = indexed(other_matrix.mul(self_matrix), other->op(1), self->op(2));
+			*other = _ex1;
+			return true;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return false;
+}
+
+
 //////////
 // non-virtual functions in this class
 //////////
@@ -334,15 +559,14 @@ int matrix::compare_same_type(const basic & other) const
 matrix matrix::add(const matrix & other) const
 {
 	if (col != other.col || row != other.row)
-		throw (std::logic_error("matrix::add(): incompatible matrices"));
+		throw std::logic_error("matrix::add(): incompatible matrices");
 	
 	exvector sum(this->m);
-	exvector::iterator i;
-	exvector::const_iterator ci;
-	for (i=sum.begin(), ci=other.m.begin(); i!=sum.end(); ++i, ++ci)
-		(*i) += (*ci);
+	auto ci = other.m.begin();
+	for (auto & i : sum)
+		i += *ci++;
 	
-	return matrix(row,col,sum);
+	return matrix(row, col, std::move(sum));
 }
 
 
@@ -352,15 +576,14 @@ matrix matrix::add(const matrix & other) const
 matrix matrix::sub(const matrix & other) const
 {
 	if (col != other.col || row != other.row)
-		throw (std::logic_error("matrix::sub(): incompatible matrices"));
+		throw std::logic_error("matrix::sub(): incompatible matrices");
 	
 	exvector dif(this->m);
-	exvector::iterator i;
-	exvector::const_iterator ci;
-	for (i=dif.begin(), ci=other.m.begin(); i!=dif.end(); ++i, ++ci)
-		(*i) -= (*ci);
+	auto ci = other.m.begin();
+	for (auto & i : dif)
+		i -= *ci++;
 	
-	return matrix(row,col,dif);
+	return matrix(row, col, std::move(dif));
 }
 
 
@@ -370,23 +593,96 @@ matrix matrix::sub(const matrix & other) const
 matrix matrix::mul(const matrix & other) const
 {
 	if (this->cols() != other.rows())
-		throw (std::logic_error("matrix::mul(): incompatible matrices"));
+		throw std::logic_error("matrix::mul(): incompatible matrices");
 	
 	exvector prod(this->rows()*other.cols());
 	
 	for (unsigned r1=0; r1<this->rows(); ++r1) {
 		for (unsigned c=0; c<this->cols(); ++c) {
+			// Quick test: can we shortcut?
 			if (m[r1*col+c].is_zero())
 				continue;
 			for (unsigned r2=0; r2<other.cols(); ++r2)
-				prod[r1*other.col+r2] += (m[r1*col+c] * other.m[c*other.col+r2]).expand();
+				prod[r1*other.col+r2] += (m[r1*col+c] * other.m[c*other.col+r2]);
+		}
+	}
+	return matrix(row, other.col, std::move(prod));
+}
+
+
+/** Product of matrix and scalar. */
+matrix matrix::mul(const numeric & other) const
+{
+	exvector prod(row * col);
+
+	for (unsigned r=0; r<row; ++r)
+		for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c)
+			prod[r*col+c] = m[r*col+c] * other;
+
+	return matrix(row, col, std::move(prod));
+}
+
+
+/** Product of matrix and scalar expression. */
+matrix matrix::mul_scalar(const ex & other) const
+{
+	if (other.return_type() != return_types::commutative)
+		throw std::runtime_error("matrix::mul_scalar(): non-commutative scalar");
+
+	exvector prod(row * col);
+
+	for (unsigned r=0; r<row; ++r)
+		for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c)
+			prod[r*col+c] = m[r*col+c] * other;
+
+	return matrix(row, col, std::move(prod));
+}
+
+
+/** Power of a matrix.  Currently handles integer exponents only. */
+matrix matrix::pow(const ex & expn) const
+{
+	if (col!=row)
+		throw (std::logic_error("matrix::pow(): matrix not square"));
+	
+	if (is_exactly_a<numeric>(expn)) {
+		// Integer cases are computed by successive multiplication, using the
+		// obvious shortcut of storing temporaries, like A^4 == (A*A)*(A*A).
+		if (expn.info(info_flags::integer)) {
+			numeric b = ex_to<numeric>(expn);
+			matrix A(row,col);
+			if (expn.info(info_flags::negative)) {
+				b *= -1;
+				A = this->inverse();
+			} else {
+				A = *this;
+			}
+			matrix C(row,col);
+			for (unsigned r=0; r<row; ++r)
+				C(r,r) = _ex1;
+			if (b.is_zero())
+				return C;
+			// This loop computes the representation of b in base 2 from right
+			// to left and multiplies the factors whenever needed.  Note
+			// that this is not entirely optimal but close to optimal and
+			// "better" algorithms are much harder to implement.  (See Knuth,
+			// TAoCP2, section "Evaluation of Powers" for a good discussion.)
+			while (b!=*_num1_p) {
+				if (b.is_odd()) {
+					C = C.mul(A);
+					--b;
+				}
+				b /= *_num2_p;  // still integer.
+				A = A.mul(A);
+			}
+			return A.mul(C);
 		}
 	}
-	return matrix(row, other.col, prod);
+	throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::pow(): don't know how to handle exponent"));
 }
 
 
-/** operator() to access elements.
+/** operator() to access elements for reading.
  *
  *  @param ro row of element
  *  @param co column of element
@@ -400,23 +696,24 @@ const ex & matrix::operator() (unsigned ro, unsigned co) const
 }
 
 
-/** Set individual elements manually.
+/** operator() to access elements for writing.
  *
+ *  @param ro row of element
+ *  @param co column of element
  *  @exception range_error (index out of range) */
-matrix & matrix::set(unsigned ro, unsigned co, ex value)
+ex & matrix::operator() (unsigned ro, unsigned co)
 {
 	if (ro>=row || co>=col)
-		throw (std::range_error("matrix::set(): index out of range"));
-    
+		throw (std::range_error("matrix::operator(): index out of range"));
+
 	ensure_if_modifiable();
-	m[ro*col+co] = value;
-	return *this;
+	return m[ro*col+co];
 }
 
 
 /** Transposed of an m x n matrix, producing a new n x m matrix object that
  *  represents the transposed. */
-matrix matrix::transpose(void) const
+matrix matrix::transpose() const
 {
 	exvector trans(this->cols()*this->rows());
 	
@@ -424,10 +721,9 @@ matrix matrix::transpose(void) const
 		for (unsigned c=0; c<this->rows(); ++c)
 			trans[r*this->rows()+c] = m[c*this->cols()+r];
 	
-	return matrix(this->cols(),this->rows(),trans);
+	return matrix(this->cols(), this->rows(), std::move(trans));
 }
 
-
 /** Determinant of square matrix.  This routine doesn't actually calculate the
  *  determinant, it only implements some heuristics about which algorithm to
  *  run.  If all the elements of the matrix are elements of an integral domain
@@ -452,15 +748,15 @@ ex matrix::determinant(unsigned algo) const
 	bool numeric_flag = true;
 	bool normal_flag = false;
 	unsigned sparse_count = 0;  // counts non-zero elements
-	for (exvector::const_iterator r=m.begin(); r!=m.end(); ++r) {
-		lst srl;  // symbol replacement list
-		ex rtest = (*r).to_rational(srl);
+	for (auto r : m) {
+		if (!r.info(info_flags::numeric))
+			numeric_flag = false;
+		exmap srl;  // symbol replacement list
+		ex rtest = r.to_rational(srl);
 		if (!rtest.is_zero())
 			++sparse_count;
-		if (!rtest.info(info_flags::numeric))
-			numeric_flag = false;
 		if (!rtest.info(info_flags::crational_polynomial) &&
-			 rtest.info(info_flags::rational_function))
+		     rtest.info(info_flags::rational_function))
 			normal_flag = true;
 	}
 	
@@ -486,7 +782,7 @@ ex matrix::determinant(unsigned algo) const
 		else
 			return m[0].expand();
 	}
-	
+
 	// Compute the determinant
 	switch(algo) {
 		case determinant_algo::gauss: {
@@ -514,7 +810,7 @@ ex matrix::determinant(unsigned algo) const
 			int sign;
 			sign = tmp.division_free_elimination(true);
 			if (sign==0)
-				return _ex0();
+				return _ex0;
 			ex det = tmp.m[row*col-1];
 			// factor out accumulated bogus slag
 			for (unsigned d=0; d<row-2; ++d)
@@ -526,10 +822,13 @@ ex matrix::determinant(unsigned algo) const
 		default: {
 			// This is the minor expansion scheme.  We always develop such
 			// that the smallest minors (i.e, the trivial 1x1 ones) are on the
-			// rightmost column.  For this to be efficient it turns out that
-			// the emptiest columns (i.e. the ones with most zeros) should be
-			// the ones on the right hand side.  Therefore we presort the
-			// columns of the matrix:
+			// rightmost column.  For this to be efficient, empirical tests
+			// have shown that the emptiest columns (i.e. the ones with most
+			// zeros) should be the ones on the right hand side -- although
+			// this might seem counter-intuitive (and in contradiction to some
+			// literature like the FORM manual).  Please go ahead and test it
+			// if you don't believe me!  Therefore we presort the columns of
+			// the matrix:
 			typedef std::pair<unsigned,unsigned> uintpair;
 			std::vector<uintpair> c_zeros;  // number of zeros in column
 			for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c) {
@@ -539,24 +838,24 @@ ex matrix::determinant(unsigned algo) const
 						++acc;
 				c_zeros.push_back(uintpair(acc,c));
 			}
-			sort(c_zeros.begin(),c_zeros.end());
+			std::sort(c_zeros.begin(),c_zeros.end());
 			std::vector<unsigned> pre_sort;
-			for (std::vector<uintpair>::iterator i=c_zeros.begin(); i!=c_zeros.end(); ++i)
-				pre_sort.push_back(i->second);
-			int sign = permutation_sign(pre_sort);
+			for (auto & i : c_zeros)
+				pre_sort.push_back(i.second);
+			std::vector<unsigned> pre_sort_test(pre_sort); // permutation_sign() modifies the vector so we make a copy here
+			int sign = permutation_sign(pre_sort_test.begin(), pre_sort_test.end());
 			exvector result(row*col);  // represents sorted matrix
 			unsigned c = 0;
-			for (std::vector<unsigned>::iterator i=pre_sort.begin();
-				 i!=pre_sort.end();
-				 ++i,++c) {
+			for (auto & it : pre_sort) {
 				for (unsigned r=0; r<row; ++r)
-					result[r*col+c] = m[r*col+(*i)];
+					result[r*col+c] = m[r*col+it];
+				++c;
 			}
 			
 			if (normal_flag)
-				return (sign*matrix(row,col,result).determinant_minor()).normal();
+				return (sign*matrix(row, col, std::move(result)).determinant_minor()).normal();
 			else
-				return sign*matrix(row,col,result).determinant_minor();
+				return sign*matrix(row, col, std::move(result)).determinant_minor();
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -568,7 +867,7 @@ ex matrix::determinant(unsigned algo) const
  *
  *  @return    the sum of diagonal elements
  *  @exception logic_error (matrix not square) */
-ex matrix::trace(void) const
+ex matrix::trace() const
 {
 	if (row != col)
 		throw (std::logic_error("matrix::trace(): matrix not square"));
@@ -578,7 +877,7 @@ ex matrix::trace(void) const
 		tr += m[r*col+r];
 	
 	if (tr.info(info_flags::rational_function) &&
-		!tr.info(info_flags::crational_polynomial))
+	   !tr.info(info_flags::crational_polynomial))
 		return tr.normal();
 	else
 		return tr.expand();
@@ -586,7 +885,7 @@ ex matrix::trace(void) const
 
 
 /** Characteristic Polynomial.  Following mathematica notation the
- *  characteristic polynomial of a matrix M is defined as the determiant of
+ *  characteristic polynomial of a matrix M is defined as the determinant of
  *  (M - lambda * 1) where 1 stands for the unit matrix of the same dimension
  *  as M.  Note that some CASs define it with a sign inside the determinant
  *  which gives rise to an overall sign if the dimension is odd.  This method
@@ -596,15 +895,16 @@ ex matrix::trace(void) const
  *  @return    characteristic polynomial as new expression
  *  @exception logic_error (matrix not square)
  *  @see       matrix::determinant() */
-ex matrix::charpoly(const symbol & lambda) const
+ex matrix::charpoly(const ex & lambda) const
 {
 	if (row != col)
 		throw (std::logic_error("matrix::charpoly(): matrix not square"));
 	
 	bool numeric_flag = true;
-	for (exvector::const_iterator r=m.begin(); r!=m.end(); ++r) {
-		if (!(*r).info(info_flags::numeric)) {
+	for (auto & r : m) {
+		if (!r.info(info_flags::numeric)) {
 			numeric_flag = false;
+			break;
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -612,27 +912,30 @@ ex matrix::charpoly(const symbol & lambda) const
 	// trapped and we use Leverrier's algorithm which goes as row^3 for
 	// every coefficient.  The expensive part is the matrix multiplication.
 	if (numeric_flag) {
+
 		matrix B(*this);
 		ex c = B.trace();
-		ex poly = power(lambda,row)-c*power(lambda,row-1);
+		ex poly = power(lambda, row) - c*power(lambda, row-1);
 		for (unsigned i=1; i<row; ++i) {
 			for (unsigned j=0; j<row; ++j)
 				B.m[j*col+j] -= c;
 			B = this->mul(B);
-			c = B.trace()/ex(i+1);
-			poly -= c*power(lambda,row-i-1);
+			c = B.trace() / ex(i+1);
+			poly -= c*power(lambda, row-i-1);
 		}
 		if (row%2)
 			return -poly;
 		else
 			return poly;
-	}
+
+	} else {
 	
-	matrix M(*this);
-	for (unsigned r=0; r<col; ++r)
-		M.m[r*col+r] -= lambda;
+		matrix M(*this);
+		for (unsigned r=0; r<col; ++r)
+			M.m[r*col+r] -= lambda;
 	
-	return M.determinant().collect(lambda);
+		return M.determinant().collect(lambda);
+	}
 }
 
 
@@ -641,52 +944,37 @@ ex matrix::charpoly(const symbol & lambda) const
  *  @return    the inverted matrix
  *  @exception logic_error (matrix not square)
  *  @exception runtime_error (singular matrix) */
-matrix matrix::inverse(void) const
+matrix matrix::inverse() const
 {
 	if (row != col)
 		throw (std::logic_error("matrix::inverse(): matrix not square"));
 	
-	// NOTE: the Gauss-Jordan elimination used here can in principle be
-	// replaced this by two clever calls to gauss_elimination() and some to
-	// transpose().  Wouldn't be more efficient (maybe less?), just more
-	// orthogonal.
-	matrix tmp(row,col);
-	// set tmp to the unit matrix
-	for (unsigned i=0; i<col; ++i)
-		tmp.m[i*col+i] = _ex1();
+	// This routine actually doesn't do anything fancy at all.  We compute the
+	// inverse of the matrix A by solving the system A * A^{-1} == Id.
 	
-	// create a copy of this matrix
-	matrix cpy(*this);
-	for (unsigned r1=0; r1<row; ++r1) {
-		int indx = cpy.pivot(r1, r1);
-		if (indx == -1) {
+	// First populate the identity matrix supposed to become the right hand side.
+	matrix identity(row,col);
+	for (unsigned i=0; i<row; ++i)
+		identity(i,i) = _ex1;
+	
+	// Populate a dummy matrix of variables, just because of compatibility with
+	// matrix::solve() which wants this (for compatibility with under-determined
+	// systems of equations).
+	matrix vars(row,col);
+	for (unsigned r=0; r<row; ++r)
+		for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c)
+			vars(r,c) = symbol();
+	
+	matrix sol(row,col);
+	try {
+		sol = this->solve(vars,identity);
+	} catch (const std::runtime_error & e) {
+	    if (e.what()==std::string("matrix::solve(): inconsistent linear system"))
 			throw (std::runtime_error("matrix::inverse(): singular matrix"));
-		}
-		if (indx != 0) {  // swap rows r and indx of matrix tmp
-			for (unsigned i=0; i<col; ++i)
-				tmp.m[r1*col+i].swap(tmp.m[indx*col+i]);
-		}
-		ex a1 = cpy.m[r1*col+r1];
-		for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c) {
-			cpy.m[r1*col+c] /= a1;
-			tmp.m[r1*col+c] /= a1;
-		}
-		for (unsigned r2=0; r2<row; ++r2) {
-			if (r2 != r1) {
-				ex a2 = cpy.m[r2*col+r1];
-				for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c) {
-					cpy.m[r2*col+c] -= a2 * cpy.m[r1*col+c];
-					if (!cpy.m[r2*col+c].info(info_flags::numeric))
-						cpy.m[r2*col+c] = cpy.m[r2*col+c].normal();
-					tmp.m[r2*col+c] -= a2 * tmp.m[r1*col+c];
-					if (!tmp.m[r2*col+c].info(info_flags::numeric))
-						tmp.m[r2*col+c] = tmp.m[r2*col+c].normal();
-				}
-			}
-		}
+		else
+			throw;
 	}
-	
-	return tmp;
+	return sol;
 }
 
 
@@ -695,14 +983,15 @@ matrix matrix::inverse(void) const
  *
  *  @param vars n x p matrix, all elements must be symbols 
  *  @param rhs m x p matrix
+ *  @param algo selects the solving algorithm
  *  @return n x p solution matrix
  *  @exception logic_error (incompatible matrices)
  *  @exception invalid_argument (1st argument must be matrix of symbols)
  *  @exception runtime_error (inconsistent linear system)
  *  @see       solve_algo */
 matrix matrix::solve(const matrix & vars,
-					 const matrix & rhs,
-					 unsigned algo) const
+                     const matrix & rhs,
+                     unsigned algo) const
 {
 	const unsigned m = this->rows();
 	const unsigned n = this->cols();
@@ -727,9 +1016,11 @@ matrix matrix::solve(const matrix & vars,
 	
 	// Gather some statistical information about the augmented matrix:
 	bool numeric_flag = true;
-	for (exvector::const_iterator r=aug.m.begin(); r!=aug.m.end(); ++r) {
-		if (!(*r).info(info_flags::numeric))
+	for (auto & r : aug.m) {
+		if (!r.info(info_flags::numeric)) {
 			numeric_flag = false;
+			break;
+		}
 	}
 	
 	// Here is the heuristics in case this routine has to decide:
@@ -749,8 +1040,10 @@ matrix matrix::solve(const matrix & vars,
 	switch(algo) {
 		case solve_algo::gauss:
 			aug.gauss_elimination();
+			break;
 		case solve_algo::divfree:
 			aug.division_free_elimination();
+			break;
 		case solve_algo::bareiss:
 		default:
 			aug.fraction_free_elimination();
@@ -773,25 +1066,47 @@ matrix matrix::solve(const matrix & vars,
 				// assign solutions for vars between fnz+1 and
 				// last_assigned_sol-1: free parameters
 				for (unsigned c=fnz; c<last_assigned_sol-1; ++c)
-					sol.set(c,co,vars.m[c*p+co]);
+					sol(c,co) = vars.m[c*p+co];
 				ex e = aug.m[r*(n+p)+n+co];
 				for (unsigned c=fnz; c<n; ++c)
 					e -= aug.m[r*(n+p)+c]*sol.m[c*p+co];
-				sol.set(fnz-1,co,
-						(e/(aug.m[r*(n+p)+(fnz-1)])).normal());
+				sol(fnz-1,co) = (e/(aug.m[r*(n+p)+(fnz-1)])).normal();
 				last_assigned_sol = fnz;
 			}
 		}
 		// assign solutions for vars between 1 and
 		// last_assigned_sol-1: free parameters
 		for (unsigned ro=0; ro<last_assigned_sol-1; ++ro)
-			sol.set(ro,co,vars(ro,co));
+			sol(ro,co) = vars(ro,co);
 	}
 	
 	return sol;
 }
 
 
+/** Compute the rank of this matrix. */
+unsigned matrix::rank() const
+{
+	// Method:
+	// Transform this matrix into upper echelon form and then count the
+	// number of non-zero rows.
+
+	GINAC_ASSERT(row*col==m.capacity());
+
+	// Actually, any elimination scheme will do since we are only
+	// interested in the echelon matrix' zeros.
+	matrix to_eliminate = *this;
+	to_eliminate.fraction_free_elimination();
+
+	unsigned r = row*col;  // index of last non-zero element
+	while (r--) {
+		if (!to_eliminate.m[r].is_zero())
+			return 1+r/col;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+
 // protected
 
 /** Recursive determinant for small matrices having at least one symbolic
@@ -800,11 +1115,11 @@ matrix matrix::solve(const matrix & vars,
  *  more than once.  According to W.M.Gentleman and S.C.Johnson this algorithm
  *  is better than elimination schemes for matrices of sparse multivariate
  *  polynomials and also for matrices of dense univariate polynomials if the
- *  matrix' dimesion is larger than 7.
+ *  matrix' dimension is larger than 7.
  *
  *  @return the determinant as a new expression (in expanded form)
  *  @see matrix::determinant() */
-ex matrix::determinant_minor(void) const
+ex matrix::determinant_minor() const
 {
 	// for small matrices the algorithm does not make any sense:
 	const unsigned n = this->cols();
@@ -829,9 +1144,9 @@ ex matrix::determinant_minor(void) const
 	//     for (unsigned r=0; r<minorM.rows(); ++r) {
 	//         for (unsigned c=0; c<minorM.cols(); ++c) {
 	//             if (r<r1)
-	//                 minorM.set(r,c,m[r*col+c+1]);
+	//                 minorM(r,c) = m[r*col+c+1];
 	//             else
-	//                 minorM.set(r,c,m[(r+1)*col+c+1]);
+	//                 minorM(r,c) = m[(r+1)*col+c+1];
 	//         }
 	//     }
 	//     // recurse down and care for sign:
@@ -875,7 +1190,7 @@ ex matrix::determinant_minor(void) const
 			Pkey.push_back(i);
 		unsigned fc = 0;  // controls logic for our strange flipper counter
 		do {
-			det = _ex0();
+			det = _ex0;
 			for (unsigned r=0; r<n-c; ++r) {
 				// maybe there is nothing to do?
 				if (m[Pkey[r]*n+c].is_zero())
@@ -907,7 +1222,7 @@ ex matrix::determinant_minor(void) const
 					Pkey[j] = Pkey[j-1]+1;
 		} while(fc);
 		// next column, so change the role of A and B:
-		A = B;
+		A.swap(B);
 		B.clear();
 	}
 	
@@ -933,8 +1248,8 @@ int matrix::gauss_elimination(const bool det)
 	int sign = 1;
 	
 	unsigned r0 = 0;
-	for (unsigned r1=0; (r1<n-1)&&(r0<m-1); ++r1) {
-		int indx = pivot(r0, r1, true);
+	for (unsigned c0=0; c0<n && r0<m-1; ++c0) {
+		int indx = pivot(r0, c0, true);
 		if (indx == -1) {
 			sign = 0;
 			if (det)
@@ -944,25 +1259,33 @@ int matrix::gauss_elimination(const bool det)
 			if (indx > 0)
 				sign = -sign;
 			for (unsigned r2=r0+1; r2<m; ++r2) {
-				ex piv = this->m[r2*n+r1] / this->m[r0*n+r1];
-				for (unsigned c=r1+1; c<n; ++c) {
-					this->m[r2*n+c] -= piv * this->m[r0*n+c];
-					if (!this->m[r2*n+c].info(info_flags::numeric))
-						this->m[r2*n+c] = this->m[r2*n+c].normal();
+				if (!this->m[r2*n+c0].is_zero()) {
+					// yes, there is something to do in this row
+					ex piv = this->m[r2*n+c0] / this->m[r0*n+c0];
+					for (unsigned c=c0+1; c<n; ++c) {
+						this->m[r2*n+c] -= piv * this->m[r0*n+c];
+						if (!this->m[r2*n+c].info(info_flags::numeric))
+							this->m[r2*n+c] = this->m[r2*n+c].normal();
+					}
 				}
 				// fill up left hand side with zeros
-				for (unsigned c=0; c<=r1; ++c)
-					this->m[r2*n+c] = _ex0();
+				for (unsigned c=r0; c<=c0; ++c)
+					this->m[r2*n+c] = _ex0;
 			}
 			if (det) {
 				// save space by deleting no longer needed elements
 				for (unsigned c=r0+1; c<n; ++c)
-					this->m[r0*n+c] = _ex0();
+					this->m[r0*n+c] = _ex0;
 			}
 			++r0;
 		}
 	}
-	
+	// clear remaining rows
+	for (unsigned r=r0+1; r<m; ++r) {
+		for (unsigned c=0; c<n; ++c)
+			this->m[r*n+c] = _ex0;
+	}
+
 	return sign;
 }
 
@@ -984,8 +1307,8 @@ int matrix::division_free_elimination(const bool det)
 	int sign = 1;
 	
 	unsigned r0 = 0;
-	for (unsigned r1=0; (r1<n-1)&&(r0<m-1); ++r1) {
-		int indx = pivot(r0, r1, true);
+	for (unsigned c0=0; c0<n && r0<m-1; ++c0) {
+		int indx = pivot(r0, c0, true);
 		if (indx==-1) {
 			sign = 0;
 			if (det)
@@ -995,21 +1318,26 @@ int matrix::division_free_elimination(const bool det)
 			if (indx>0)
 				sign = -sign;
 			for (unsigned r2=r0+1; r2<m; ++r2) {
-				for (unsigned c=r1+1; c<n; ++c)
-					this->m[r2*n+c] = (this->m[r0*n+r1]*this->m[r2*n+c] - this->m[r2*n+r1]*this->m[r0*n+c]).expand();
+				for (unsigned c=c0+1; c<n; ++c)
+					this->m[r2*n+c] = (this->m[r0*n+c0]*this->m[r2*n+c] - this->m[r2*n+c0]*this->m[r0*n+c]).expand();
 				// fill up left hand side with zeros
-				for (unsigned c=0; c<=r1; ++c)
-					this->m[r2*n+c] = _ex0();
+				for (unsigned c=r0; c<=c0; ++c)
+					this->m[r2*n+c] = _ex0;
 			}
 			if (det) {
 				// save space by deleting no longer needed elements
 				for (unsigned c=r0+1; c<n; ++c)
-					this->m[r0*n+c] = _ex0();
+					this->m[r0*n+c] = _ex0;
 			}
 			++r0;
 		}
 	}
-	
+	// clear remaining rows
+	for (unsigned r=r0+1; r<m; ++r) {
+		for (unsigned c=0; c<n; ++c)
+			this->m[r*n+c] = _ex0;
+	}
+
 	return sign;
 }
 
@@ -1034,7 +1362,7 @@ int matrix::fraction_free_elimination(const bool det)
 	//
 	// Bareiss (fraction-free) elimination in addition divides that element
 	// by m[k-1](k-1,k-1) for k>1, where it can be shown by means of the
-	// Sylvester determinant that this really divides m[k+1](r,c).
+	// Sylvester identity that this really divides m[k+1](r,c).
 	//
 	// We also allow rational functions where the original prove still holds.
 	// However, we must care for numerator and denominator separately and
@@ -1071,39 +1399,46 @@ int matrix::fraction_free_elimination(const bool det)
 	// makes things more complicated than they need to be.
 	matrix tmp_n(*this);
 	matrix tmp_d(m,n);  // for denominators, if needed
-	lst srl;  // symbol replacement list
-	exvector::iterator it = this->m.begin();
-	exvector::iterator tmp_n_it = tmp_n.m.begin();
-	exvector::iterator tmp_d_it = tmp_d.m.begin();
-	for (; it!= this->m.end(); ++it, ++tmp_n_it, ++tmp_d_it) {
-		(*tmp_n_it) = (*it).normal().to_rational(srl);
-		(*tmp_d_it) = (*tmp_n_it).denom();
-		(*tmp_n_it) = (*tmp_n_it).numer();
+	exmap srl;  // symbol replacement list
+	auto tmp_n_it = tmp_n.m.begin(), tmp_d_it = tmp_d.m.begin();
+	for (auto & it : this->m) {
+		ex nd = it.normal().to_rational(srl).numer_denom();
+		*tmp_n_it++ = nd.op(0);
+		*tmp_d_it++ = nd.op(1);
 	}
 	
 	unsigned r0 = 0;
-	for (unsigned r1=0; (r1<n-1)&&(r0<m-1); ++r1) {
-		int indx = tmp_n.pivot(r0, r1, true);
-		if (indx==-1) {
+	for (unsigned c0=0; c0<n && r0<m-1; ++c0) {
+		// When trying to find a pivot, we should try a bit harder than expand().
+		// Searching the first non-zero element in-place here instead of calling
+		// pivot() allows us to do no more substitutions and back-substitutions
+		// than are actually necessary.
+		unsigned indx = r0;
+		while ((indx<m) &&
+		       (tmp_n[indx*n+c0].subs(srl, subs_options::no_pattern).expand().is_zero()))
+			++indx;
+		if (indx==m) {
+			// all elements in column c0 below row r0 vanish
 			sign = 0;
 			if (det)
 				return 0;
-		}
-		if (indx>=0) {
-			if (indx>0) {
+		} else {
+			if (indx>r0) {
+				// Matrix needs pivoting, swap rows r0 and indx of tmp_n and tmp_d.
 				sign = -sign;
-				// tmp_n's rows r0 and indx were swapped, do the same in tmp_d:
-				for (unsigned c=r1; c<n; ++c)
+				for (unsigned c=c0; c<n; ++c) {
+					tmp_n.m[n*indx+c].swap(tmp_n.m[n*r0+c]);
 					tmp_d.m[n*indx+c].swap(tmp_d.m[n*r0+c]);
+				}
 			}
 			for (unsigned r2=r0+1; r2<m; ++r2) {
-				for (unsigned c=r1+1; c<n; ++c) {
-					dividend_n = (tmp_n.m[r0*n+r1]*tmp_n.m[r2*n+c]*
-					              tmp_d.m[r2*n+r1]*tmp_d.m[r0*n+c]
-					             -tmp_n.m[r2*n+r1]*tmp_n.m[r0*n+c]*
-					              tmp_d.m[r0*n+r1]*tmp_d.m[r2*n+c]).expand();
-					dividend_d = (tmp_d.m[r2*n+r1]*tmp_d.m[r0*n+c]*
-					              tmp_d.m[r0*n+r1]*tmp_d.m[r2*n+c]).expand();
+				for (unsigned c=c0+1; c<n; ++c) {
+					dividend_n = (tmp_n.m[r0*n+c0]*tmp_n.m[r2*n+c]*
+					              tmp_d.m[r2*n+c0]*tmp_d.m[r0*n+c]
+					             -tmp_n.m[r2*n+c0]*tmp_n.m[r0*n+c]*
+					              tmp_d.m[r0*n+c0]*tmp_d.m[r2*n+c]).expand();
+					dividend_d = (tmp_d.m[r2*n+c0]*tmp_d.m[r0*n+c]*
+					              tmp_d.m[r0*n+c0]*tmp_d.m[r2*n+c]).expand();
 					bool check = divide(dividend_n, divisor_n,
 					                    tmp_n.m[r2*n+c], true);
 					check &= divide(dividend_d, divisor_d,
@@ -1111,30 +1446,35 @@ int matrix::fraction_free_elimination(const bool det)
 					GINAC_ASSERT(check);
 				}
 				// fill up left hand side with zeros
-				for (unsigned c=0; c<=r1; ++c)
-					tmp_n.m[r2*n+c] = _ex0();
+				for (unsigned c=r0; c<=c0; ++c)
+					tmp_n.m[r2*n+c] = _ex0;
 			}
-			if ((r1<n-1)&&(r0<m-1)) {
+			if (c0<n && r0<m-1) {
 				// compute next iteration's divisor
-				divisor_n = tmp_n.m[r0*n+r1].expand();
-				divisor_d = tmp_d.m[r0*n+r1].expand();
+				divisor_n = tmp_n.m[r0*n+c0].expand();
+				divisor_d = tmp_d.m[r0*n+c0].expand();
 				if (det) {
 					// save space by deleting no longer needed elements
 					for (unsigned c=0; c<n; ++c) {
-						tmp_n.m[r0*n+c] = _ex0();
-						tmp_d.m[r0*n+c] = _ex1();
+						tmp_n.m[r0*n+c] = _ex0;
+						tmp_d.m[r0*n+c] = _ex1;
 					}
 				}
 			}
 			++r0;
 		}
 	}
+	// clear remaining rows
+	for (unsigned r=r0+1; r<m; ++r) {
+		for (unsigned c=0; c<n; ++c)
+			tmp_n.m[r*n+c] = _ex0;
+	}
+
 	// repopulate *this matrix:
-	it = this->m.begin();
 	tmp_n_it = tmp_n.m.begin();
 	tmp_d_it = tmp_d.m.begin();
-	for (; it!= this->m.end(); ++it, ++tmp_n_it, ++tmp_d_it)
-		(*it) = ((*tmp_n_it)/(*tmp_d_it)).subs(srl);
+	for (auto & it : this->m)
+		it = ((*tmp_n_it++)/(*tmp_d_it++)).subs(srl, subs_options::no_pattern);
 	
 	return sign;
 }
@@ -1150,7 +1490,7 @@ int matrix::fraction_free_elimination(const bool det)
  *  @param co is the column to be inspected
  *  @param symbolic signal if we want the first non-zero element to be pivoted
  *  (true) or the one with the largest absolute value (false).
- *  @return 0 if no interchange occured, -1 if all are zero (usually signaling
+ *  @return 0 if no interchange occurred, -1 if all are zero (usually signaling
  *  a degeneracy) and positive integer k means that rows ro and k were swapped.
  */
 int matrix::pivot(unsigned ro, unsigned co, bool symbolic)
@@ -1162,12 +1502,12 @@ int matrix::pivot(unsigned ro, unsigned co, bool symbolic)
 			++k;
 	} else {
 		// search largest element in column co beginning at row ro
-		GINAC_ASSERT(is_ex_of_type(this->m[k*col+co],numeric));
+		GINAC_ASSERT(is_exactly_a<numeric>(this->m[k*col+co]));
 		unsigned kmax = k+1;
-		numeric mmax = abs(ex_to_numeric(m[kmax*col+co]));
+		numeric mmax = abs(ex_to<numeric>(m[kmax*col+co]));
 		while (kmax<row) {
-			GINAC_ASSERT(is_ex_of_type(this->m[kmax*col+co],numeric));
-			numeric tmp = ex_to_numeric(this->m[kmax*col+co]);
+			GINAC_ASSERT(is_exactly_a<numeric>(this->m[kmax*col+co]));
+			numeric tmp = ex_to<numeric>(this->m[kmax*col+co]);
 			if (abs(tmp) > mmax) {
 				mmax = tmp;
 				k = kmax;
@@ -1186,41 +1526,159 @@ int matrix::pivot(unsigned ro, unsigned co, bool symbolic)
 	// matrix needs pivoting, so swap rows k and ro
 	ensure_if_modifiable();
 	for (unsigned c=0; c<col; ++c)
-		m[k*col+c].swap(m[ro*col+c]);
+		this->m[k*col+c].swap(this->m[ro*col+c]);
 	
 	return k;
 }
 
-/** Convert list of lists to matrix. */
-ex lst_to_matrix(const ex &l)
+/** Function to check that all elements of the matrix are zero.
+ */
+bool matrix::is_zero_matrix() const
+{
+	for (auto & i : m)
+		if (!i.is_zero())
+			return false;
+	return true;
+}
+
+ex lst_to_matrix(const lst & l)
 {
-	if (!is_ex_of_type(l, lst))
-		throw(std::invalid_argument("argument to lst_to_matrix() must be a lst"));
-	
 	// Find number of rows and columns
-	unsigned rows = l.nops(), cols = 0, i, j;
-	for (i=0; i<rows; i++)
-		if (l.op(i).nops() > cols)
-			cols = l.op(i).nops();
-	
+	size_t rows = l.nops(), cols = 0;
+	for (auto & itr : l) {
+		if (!is_a<lst>(itr))
+			throw (std::invalid_argument("lst_to_matrix: argument must be a list of lists"));
+		if (itr.nops() > cols)
+			cols = itr.nops();
+	}
+
 	// Allocate and fill matrix
-	matrix &m = *new matrix(rows, cols);
-	for (i=0; i<rows; i++)
-		for (j=0; j<cols; j++)
-			if (l.op(i).nops() > j)
-				m.set(i, j, l.op(i).op(j));
-			else
-				m.set(i, j, ex(0));
-	return m;
+	matrix &M = *new matrix(rows, cols);
+	M.setflag(status_flags::dynallocated);
+
+	unsigned i = 0;
+	for (auto & itr : l) {
+		unsigned j = 0;
+		for (auto & itc : ex_to<lst>(itr)) {
+			M(i, j) = itc;
+			++j;
+		}
+		++i;
+	}
+
+	return M;
 }
 
-//////////
-// global constants
-//////////
+ex diag_matrix(const lst & l)
+{
+	size_t dim = l.nops();
+
+	// Allocate and fill matrix
+	matrix &M = *new matrix(dim, dim);
+	M.setflag(status_flags::dynallocated);
+
+	unsigned i = 0;
+	for (auto & it : l) {
+		M(i, i) = it;
+		++i;
+	}
+
+	return M;
+}
+
+ex unit_matrix(unsigned r, unsigned c)
+{
+	matrix &Id = *new matrix(r, c);
+	Id.setflag(status_flags::dynallocated | status_flags::evaluated);
+	for (unsigned i=0; i<r && i<c; i++)
+		Id(i,i) = _ex1;
+
+	return Id;
+}
+
+ex symbolic_matrix(unsigned r, unsigned c, const std::string & base_name, const std::string & tex_base_name)
+{
+	matrix &M = *new matrix(r, c);
+	M.setflag(status_flags::dynallocated | status_flags::evaluated);
+
+	bool long_format = (r > 10 || c > 10);
+	bool single_row = (r == 1 || c == 1);
+
+	for (unsigned i=0; i<r; i++) {
+		for (unsigned j=0; j<c; j++) {
+			std::ostringstream s1, s2;
+			s1 << base_name;
+			s2 << tex_base_name << "_{";
+			if (single_row) {
+				if (c == 1) {
+					s1 << i;
+					s2 << i << '}';
+				} else {
+					s1 << j;
+					s2 << j << '}';
+				}
+			} else {
+				if (long_format) {
+					s1 << '_' << i << '_' << j;
+					s2 << i << ';' << j << "}";
+				} else {
+					s1 << i << j;
+					s2 << i << j << '}';
+				}
+			}
+			M(i, j) = symbol(s1.str(), s2.str());
+		}
+	}
+
+	return M;
+}
+
+ex reduced_matrix(const matrix& m, unsigned r, unsigned c)
+{
+	if (r+1>m.rows() || c+1>m.cols() || m.cols()<2 || m.rows()<2)
+		throw std::runtime_error("minor_matrix(): index out of bounds");
+
+	const unsigned rows = m.rows()-1;
+	const unsigned cols = m.cols()-1;
+	matrix &M = *new matrix(rows, cols);
+	M.setflag(status_flags::dynallocated | status_flags::evaluated);
+
+	unsigned ro = 0;
+	unsigned ro2 = 0;
+	while (ro2<rows) {
+		if (ro==r)
+			++ro;
+		unsigned co = 0;
+		unsigned co2 = 0;
+		while (co2<cols) {
+			if (co==c)
+				++co;
+			M(ro2,co2) = m(ro, co);
+			++co;
+			++co2;
+		}
+		++ro;
+		++ro2;
+	}
 
-const matrix some_matrix;
-const std::type_info & typeid_matrix = typeid(some_matrix);
+	return M;
+}
+
+ex sub_matrix(const matrix&m, unsigned r, unsigned nr, unsigned c, unsigned nc)
+{
+	if (r+nr>m.rows() || c+nc>m.cols())
+		throw std::runtime_error("sub_matrix(): index out of bounds");
+
+	matrix &M = *new matrix(nr, nc);
+	M.setflag(status_flags::dynallocated | status_flags::evaluated);
+
+	for (unsigned ro=0; ro<nr; ++ro) {
+		for (unsigned co=0; co<nc; ++co) {
+			M(ro,co) = m(ro+r,co+c);
+		}
+	}
+
+	return M;
+}
 
-#ifndef NO_NAMESPACE_GINAC
 } // namespace GiNaC
-#endif // ndef NO_NAMESPACE_GINAC