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;
* poisson problems in d=1,2 and 3 dimension with high order lagrange elements,
up to fifth order;
* linear elasticity, including incompressible and nearly incompressible
elasticity;
* stokes problems in d=2 or 3 dimension, with p2-p1 or p1 bubble-p1 elements;
* characteristic method for convection-diffusion, time-dependent
problems and navier-stokes equations;
* nonlinear problems with either fixed-point algorithms or a provided generic
damped newton solver;
* auto-adaptive mesh approaches;
* axisymmetric problems;
* multi-regions and variable coefficient problems.
this package provides the documentation.