Counting with rational generating functions

We examine two different ways of encoding a counting function, as a rational generating function and explicitly as a function (defined piecewise using the greatest integer function). We prove that, if the degree and number of input variables of the (quasi-polynomial) function are fixed, there is a polynomial time algorithm which converts between the two representations. Examples of such counting functions include Ehrhart quasi-polynomials, vector partition functions, integer points in parametric polytopes, and projections of the integer points in parametric polytopes. For this last example, this algorithm provides the first known way to compute the explicit function in polynomial time. We rely heavily on results of Barvinok and Pommersheim (1999, Math. Sci. Res. Inst. Publ., 38), and also of Verdoolaege, Seghir, Beyls, et al. (2007, Algorithmica, 48, 1). Key words: rational generating functions, piecewise quasi-polynomials, vector partition functions, parametric counting functions, parametric polytopes, Barvinok algorith