function K = compute_kernel(a,s,kernel)

	% compute a kernel matrix for the objects a w.r.t. the support objects s
	% given a kernel description
	if  isstr(kernel) % routine supplied to compute kernel
		K = feval(kernel,a,s);
	elseif iscell(kernel)
		K = feval(kernel{1},a,s,kernel{2:end});
	elseif ismapping(kernel)
		K = a*prmap(s,kernel);
	elseif kernel == 0 % we have already a kernel
		K = a;
	else
		error('Do not know how to compute kernel matrix')
	end
		
	K = +K;
		
return