ABSTRACT
This chapter is intended to be a fast-paced introduction to some basic notions of commutative algebra and algebraic geometry. Many good books can be consulted for further details, but the text [Cox et al. 92] is certainly a good place to start. Our needs for tools of algebraic geometry are very modest. In particular, we only consider finite discrete affine varieties and the associated polynomials ring of functions. The combinatorial outlook on the relevant concepts can be traced back at least to Stanley’s paper [Stanley 79], which is eminently readable. For more details also see his book [Stanley 96].
