The article provides a review of the mathematical description of the dynamics of continuous and discrete linear stationary systems and objects, used at the development stage of the classical theory of automatic control in the form of mathematical models of the «input-output» type. The time and frequency characteristics of continuous and discrete control systems are described, typical links of stationary systems are considered, parametric discrete models of objects as part of typical digital control loops are presented. Stochastic discrete autoregressive models of stationary time series used to describe the dynamic objects in the synthesis of digital control systems are considered. A review of standard control laws for the implementation of continuous and discrete controllers has been completed. A method for synthesizing discrete controllers for multidimensional controlled objects with different, unknown and changing delays is considered, through which variable delays are compensated in the characteristic equation of a closed-loop control system. A common technique for synthesizing one-dimensional and multidimensional controllers for stochastic objects with delays based on ARMAX models is considered. An analysis of approaches to identifying delays in controlled objects is carried out and a method for identifying delays when using input-output models is considered, based on the calculation and comparison of impulse responses for extended and non-extended models of the controlled object. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of «input-output» type models is given, as well as the possibilities of their application for solving various classes of control theory problems.