  We show that the $n-$th symmetric product of an affine scheme
$X=\mathrm{Spec} A$ over a characteristic zero field is isomorphic as a scheme
to the quotient by the general linear group of the scheme parameterizing
$n-$dimensional linear representations of $A$. As a consequence we give
generators and relations of the related rings of invariants as well as the
equations of any symmetric products in term of traces. In positive
characteristic we prove an analogous result for the associated varieties.
