# What is the best way to self-study GAP?

Background: This year I'll do another Group Theory course ( Open University M336 ). In the past I have used Mathematica's AbstractAlgebra package but (although visually appealing ) this is no longer sufficient (i.e. listing subgroups of $S_4$ takes ages). So, I want to learn more about GAP. I worked through beginner tutorials that I found via the GAP website. Currently, I am not making much progress with GAP. The reference manual does not help me much at this stage.

Question: What is the best way to self-study GAP? How does one become proficient in GAP? What ( books, tutorials ) should you study?

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Not a real answer, but why won't you try Sage? It wraps GAP and many other things and uses the easy-to-learn Python language (and has books) –  Gadi A Jan 31 '12 at 10:22
Is there a difference between the stand-alone GAP and the Sage-wrapped version? I would still have to learn how to formulate Group Theory in GAP. Creating semi-direct products for example. –  ndroock1 Jan 31 '12 at 10:33
You'll need to formulate Group theory in Sage, not in GAP; however, it can be argued that Sage is easier to learn than GAP, and that it is more productive to familiarize yourself with an algebra system that can assist you also in things GAP cannot. –  Gadi A Jan 31 '12 at 12:29
I would say just play around with it! That's the best way to learn the basics. There are lots of online books available (as well as the gap website, which contains a comprehensive reference as well as tutorials). Here is a very nice PDF I use from time to time: math.colostate.edu/~hulpke/CGT/howtogap.pdf –  user641 Jan 31 '12 at 13:07
@SteveD - I have been playing around with it for quite some time. But there is a point where you make no or little progress in this way. - The PDF looks nice, I will go through it. Thank you. –  ndroock1 Jan 31 '12 at 13:25
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