Preface

Abstract

Dear reader, This is the first issue of the "new" SIAM Review, the flagship journal of SIAM and the only journal received by all SIAM members. SIAM is a remarkably diverse organization whose membership defies neat categorization. SIAM's interests span theoretical, applied, industrial, numerical, and computational mathematics. SIAM represents multiple areas of computer science such as algorithms, complexity, high-performance and distributed computing, languages, software design, systems, networking, and formal methods. SIAM has members from every conceivable area of science and engineering as well as from computational science, operations research, finance, business, and medicine. In the face of this immense array of interests and expertise, SIAM Review has the job of providing something for everyone. It has done so since 1959 with distinction and flair---a stellar record that sets a high standard for the new SIAM Review. A Proud HistorySIAM Review is best known as the home of distinguished surveys that include some of the most influential papers in applied mathematics, numerical analysis, computer science, and the applications of mathematics; numerous SIAM Review papers are rightly viewed as classics of their genre. Every SIAM member has his or her personal list of "greatest" SIAM Review papers---and there are many great papers to choose from. The "Problems and Solutions" section has sparked the interest of readers, especially at the beginning oftheir careers, and provided an outlet for varied approaches to problem-solving. To expand these functions while keeping up with Internet-based communication, Problems and Solutions will become SIAM's first all-electronic publication, one that we hope will be read around the world. A small editorial board headed by Cecil Rousseau, the longtime co-editor, will create an online incarnation of Problems and Solutions. Details about plans and submissions can be found at http://www.siam.org/journals/journals.htm. For SIAM Review subscribers without access to the Internet, SIAM will periodically provide individual hard copies of Problems and Solutions upon request to the SIAM office. The New Format The new SIAM Review contains five sections, four of which have autonomous Section Editors: Survey and Review (Nick Trefethen), Problems and Techniques (Joe Flaherty), Education (Bobby Schnabel), and Book Reviews (Bruce Kellogg). A typical issue of SIAM Review will thus include one or more integrative surveys, descriptions of problems and techniques, educational modules, and book reviews. The fifth section, SIGEST, is jointly edited by the Section Editors and the Editor-in-Chief. In each issue, SIGEST will highlight a recent paper from one of SIAM's other nine journals, chosen for its breadth and interest, rewritten by the authors as needed to provide context and sketch developments since its original appearance. In an era of increasingly specialized publications, the motivation for SIGEST is to bring notable, readable papers from a variety of fields to everyone's attention. Each section begins with a description by the Editor of its contents. The First Issue and the Future During the past two years of preparation for the new journal, a consistent goal of the Editors has been that every issue should deserve to be read from cover to cover. The first issue more than fulfills this aim; as readers will soon discover, the contents of all five sections are exceptional and engrossing. Looking ahead to future issues, we encourage you to send comments and suggestions about the new journal. Most importantly, we ask you to maintain the vitality and spirit of SIAM Review by sending us your best papers. Margaret H. Wright Editor-in-Chiefmhw@research.bell-labs.com Editors' Note: All of the SIAM Review Editors express our deepest thanks to Mary Rose Muccie of the SIAM staff, who has worked closely with us throughout the creation of the new journal; SIAM Review would not exist without her extraordinary dedication and superlative standards. We also thank Sam Young for his efficient, energetic, and cheerful help and support.