Finite-element method programming made easy???

The finite-element method (FEM) has become a common tool in the computational electromagneticist's toolbox over the past decade. During the decade of the 1990s, the method has evolved from an interesting approach with great promise for modeling structures that are difficult to model using competing methods, such as integral equation-based approaches, to a mainstream, commercially viable design tool. Although there are a number of excellent commercial finite-element-based design environments, it is still instructive for finite-element novices to write their own programs as an aid in understanding the potential, and limitations, of the method. Writing your own - albeit simple and limited - finite-element program will facilitate better understanding of how to make the most of the excellent commercial programs now on the market. This paper outlines various textbook and online sources of content that facilitates such a voyage of discovery.