Can Umbral and $q$-calculus be merged?

Abstract

The $q$-calculus is reformulated in terms of the umbral calculus and of the associated operational formalism. We show that new and interesting elements emerge from such a restyling. The proposed technique is applied to a different formulations of $q$ special functions, to the derivation of integrals involving ordinary and $q$-functions and to the study of $q$-special functions and polynomials.