Rheolef is a computer environment that serves as a convenient laboratory for computations in applied mathematics involving finite element-like methods. It provides a set of commands and C++ algorithms and containers.

Most basically, containers cover the classic graph data structure for sparse matrix formats and finite element meshes. At a higher level of abstraction, they can handle approximate finite element spaces, discrete fields. Flexible and powerful expressions are used to specify bilinear forms.

Current applications include: * massively distributed memory finite element environment, based on MPI; * elasticity, Stokes and Navier-Stokes problems in 2D and 3D; * complex fluids applications: viscoplasticity, viscoelasticity, wall slip; * nonlinear problems with fixed-point, Newton and continuation methods; * high order polynomials, mixed elements and discontinuous Galerkin methods; * auto-adaptive mesh approaches; * axisymmetric problems; * multi-regions and variable coefficient problems.

This package provides the rheolef commands. These support input and output in various file formats for mesh-generators and numerical data visualization systems such as paraview, and gnuplot.