hpGEM -- A software framework for discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods

hpGEM, a novel framework for the implementation of discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods (FEMs), is described. We present data structures and methods that are common for many (discontinuous) FEMs and show how we have implemented the components as an object-oriented framework. This framework facilitates and accelerates the implementation of finite element programs, the assessment of algorithms, and their application to real-world problems. The article documents the status of the framework, exemplifies aspects of its philosophy and design, and demonstrates the feasibility of the approach with several application examples.