In this overview article, we provide a historical account on derivations, Jordan derivations, (α, β)-derivations, left derivations, pre-derivations, homoderivations, nilpotent derivations, and other variants, drawing from the contributions of multiple researchers. Additionally, we delve into recent findings and suggest potential avenues for future investigation in this area. Furthermore, we offer pertinent examples to illustrate that the assumptions underlying various results are indeed necessary and not redundant.

Let $n\ge 2$ be a fixed integer and $\mathcal{A}$ be a $C^{\ast }$-algebra. A permuting n-linear map $\mathcal{G}:{\mathcal{A}}^n\to \mathcal{A}$ is known to be symmetric generalized n-derivation if there exists a symmetric n-derivation $\mathfrak{D}:{\mathcal{A}}^n\to \mathcal{A}$ such that $\mathcal{G}\left({\varsigma }_1,{\varsigma }_2,\dots ,{\varsigma }_i{\varsigma }_i^{\prime },\dots ,{\varsigma }_n\right)=\mathcal{G}\left({\varsigma }_1,{\varsigma }_2,\dots ,{\varsigma }_i,\dots ,{\varsigma }_n\right){\varsigma }_i^{\prime }+{\varsigma }_i\mathfrak{D}({\varsigma }_1,{\varsigma }_2,\dots ,{\varsigma }_i^{\prime },\dots ,{\varsigma }_n)$ holds ∀${\varsigma }_i,{\varsigma }_i^{\prime }\in \mathcal{A}$. In this paper, we investigate the structure of $C^{\ast }$-algebras involving generalized linear n-derivations. Moreover, we describe the forms of traces of linear n-derivations satisfying certain functional identity.

Let and be fixed positive integers. In this paper, we establish some structural properties of prime rings equipped with higher derivations. Motivated by the works of Herstein and Bell-Daif, we characterize rings with higher derivations satisfying (i) for all and (ii) for all .

Let m , n {m,n} be the fixed positive integers and let ℛ {\mathcal{R}} be a ring. In 1978, Herstein proved that a 2-torsion free prime ring ℛ {\mathcal{R}} is commutative if there is a nonzero derivation d of R such that [ d ⁢ ( ϱ ) , d ⁢ ( ξ ) ] = 0 {[d(\varrho),d(\xi)]=0} for all ϱ , ξ ∈ R {\varrho,\xi\in R} . In this article, we study the above mentioned classical result for higher derivations and describe the structure of semiprime rings by using the invariance property of prime ideals under higher derivations. Precisely, apart from proving some other important results, we prove the following. Let ( d i ) i ∈ ℕ {(d_{i})_{i\in\mathbb{N}}} and ( g j ) j ∈ ℕ {(g_{j})_{j\in\mathbb{N}}} be two higher derivations of semiprime ring ℛ {\mathcal{R}} such that [ d n ⁢ ( ϱ ) , g m ⁢ ( ξ ) ] ∈ Z ⁢ ( ℛ ) {[d_{n}(\varrho),g_{m}(\xi)]\in Z(\mathcal{R})} for all ϱ , ξ ∈ ℐ {\varrho,\xi\in\mathcal{I}} , where ℐ {\mathcal{I}} is an ideal of ℛ {\mathcal{R}} . Then either ℛ {\mathcal{R}} is commutative or some linear combination of ( d i ) i ∈ ℕ {(d_{i})_{i\in\mathbb{N}}} sends Z ⁢ ( ℛ ) {Z(\mathcal{R})} to zero or some linear combination of ( g j ) j ∈ ℕ {(g_{j})_{j\in\mathbb{N}}} sends Z ⁢ ( ℛ ) {Z(\mathcal{R})} to zero. We enrich our results with examples that show the necessity of their assumptions. Finally, we conclude our paper with a direction for further research.

Let $n \geq 2$ be a fixed integer and $\mathcal{A}$ be a $C^*$-algebra. A permuting $ n $-linear map $ \mathcal{G} : \mathcal{A} ^{n} \rightarrow \mathcal{A} $ is known to be symmetric generalized $n$-derivation if there exists a symmetric $n$-derivation $ \mathfrak{D} : \mathcal{A} ^{n} \rightarrow \mathcal{A} $ such that $ \mathcal{G} \left(x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{i} x_{i}^{\prime}, \ldots, x_{n}\right)= \mathcal{G} \left(x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{i}, \ldots, x_{n}\right) x_{i}^{\prime}+x_{i} \mathfrak{D} (x_{1}, x_{2},\ldots, x_{i}^{\prime}, \ldots, x_{n})$ holds for all $x_{i}, x_{i}^{\prime} \in \mathcal{A} $. In this paper, we investigate the structure of $C^*$-algebras involving generalized linear $n$-derivations. Moreover, we describe the forms of traces of linear $n$-derivations satisfying certain functional identity.

This paper focuses on examining a new type of $n$-additive maps called the symmetric reverse $n$-derivations. As implied by its name, it combines the ideas of $n$-additive maps and reverse derivations, with a $1$-reverse derivation being the ordinary reverse derivation. We explore several findings that expand our knowledge of these maps, particularly their presence in semiprime rings and the way rings respond to specific functional identities involving elements of ideals. Also, we provide examples to help clarify the concept of symmetric reverse $n$-derivations. This study aims to deepen the understanding of these symmetric maps and their properties within mathematical structures.