Finite-mode regularizatons of the fermion functional integral. Pt. 1

We present a regularization of the fermion functional integral in the presence of a gauge field, obtained by projecting the fermion fields on a finite subspace of the fermion wave functions. We find the basis that ensures manifest gauge covariance. We are able, in this way, to develop a non-perturbative method of calculation and test it by calculating the triangle anomalies in different models. All the calculations are carried out on a finite-size momentum space lattice. Finally we briefly discuss the zero-mode problem. (orig.)