Normed algebras of differentiable functions on compact plane sets

We investigate the completeness and completions of the normed algebras (D ⁽¹⁾(X), ‖ · ‖) for perfect, compact plane sets X. In particular, we construct a radially self-absorbing, compact plane set X such that the normed algebra (D ⁽¹⁾(X), ‖ · ‖) is not complete. This solves a question of Bland and Feinstein. We also prove that there are several classes of connected, compact plane sets X for which the completeness of (D ⁽¹⁾(X), ‖ · ‖) is equivalent to the pointwise regularity of X. For example, this is true for all rectifiably connected, polynomially convex, compact plane sets with empty interior, for all star-shaped, compact plane sets, and for all Jordan arcs in ℂ.