We present ail algorithm that computes an unmixed-dimensional decomposition of an arbitrary algebraic variety V. Each Vj in the decomposition V = Vi U ... U Vm is given by a finite set of polynomials which represents the generic points of the irreducible components of V;. The basic operation in our algorithm is the computation of greatest common divisors of univariate polynomials over extension fields. No factorization is needed.
Some of the main problems in polynomial idea! theory can be solved by means of our algorithm: we show how the dimension of an ideal can be computed, systems of algebraic equations can be solved, and radical membership can be decided.
Our algorithm has been implemented in the computer algebra system MAPLE. Timings on well-known examples from computer algebra literature are given.