A computational approach to Drinfeld modules

Abstract: This survey provides a practical and algorithmic perspective on Drinfeld modules over $\mathbb F_q[T]$. Starting with the construction of the Carlitz module, we present Drinfeld modules in any rank and some of their arithmetic properties. We emphasise the analogies with elliptic curves, and in the meantime, we also highlight key differences such as their rank structure and their associated Anderson motives. This document is designed for researchers in number theory, arithmetic geometry, algorithmic number theory, cryptography, or computer algebra, offering tools and insights to navigate the computational aspects of Drinfeld modules effectively. We include detailed SageMath implementations to illustrate explicit computations and facilitate experimentation. Applications to polynomial factorisation, isogeny computations, cryptographic constructions, and coding theory are also presented.