%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% \Chapter{Introduction} \index{carat} This package contains GAP interface routines to {\CARAT}, a package of programs for the computation with crystallographic groups. {\CARAT} is implemented in C, and has been developed by J.~Opgenorth, W.~Plesken, and T.~Schulz at Lehrstuhl~B f\accent127ur Mathematik, RWTH Aachen. The algorithms used by {\CARAT} are described in \cite{OPS98}. {\CARAT} is to a large extent complementary to the GAP 4 package {\Cryst}. In particular, it provides routines for the computation of normalizers and conjugators of finite unimodular groups in $GL(n,Z)$, and routines for the computation of Bravais groups, which are all missing in {\Cryst}. Furthermore, {\CARAT} provides also a catalogue of Bravais groups up to dimension 6. {\Cryst} automatically loads {\CARAT} when it is available, and makes use of its functions where necessary. The present package thereby extends the functionality of {\Cryst} considerably. {\CARAT} itself is NOT part of this package. However, for your convenience, and with the permission of the {\CARAT} authors, a copy of {\CARAT} has been included. It is this version with which the interface routines have been tested. The most recent version of {\CARAT} can be obtained at the {\CARAT} Home Page \beginitems & \URL{http://wwwb.math.rwth-aachen.de/carat/} \enditems The {\GAP} interface routines to {\CARAT} have been written by \beginitems & Franz G\accent127ahler\hfill\break Fakult\accent127at f\accent127ur Mathematik\hfill\break Universit\accent127at Bielefeld\hfill\break Postfach 10 01 31\hfill\break D-33501 Bielefeld\hfill\break \Mailto{gaehler@math.uni-bielefeld.de} \enditems to whom bug reports regarding these interface routines should be addressed. Bug reports regarding {\CARAT} itself should be sent to \Mailto{carat@momo.math.rwth-aachen.de}.