Is there a guide for programming in maple?  I mean like using it like a normal programming language using the code editor (external one not the whole worksheet thing maple has by default) debugging writing functions and the lot.

Maple is not able to simplify x^3+a*x+b) -(y^3+a*y+b) )^2/(x-y)^4   into (x^2 + x*y + y^2 + a)^2/(x - y)^2 

wtf

p.s.  how do I get maple to show steps in simplifications