Parabolized stability equations (PSE) have opened new avenues to the a
nalysis of the streamwise growth of linear and nonlinear disturbances
in slowly varying shear flows such as boundary layers, jets, and far w
akes. Growth mechanisms include both algebraic transient growth and ex
ponential growth through primary and higher instabilities. In contrast
to the eigensolutions of traditional linear stability equations, PSE
solutions incorporate inhomogeneous initial and boundary conditions as
do numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations, but they can b
e obtained at modest computational expense. PSE codes have developed i
nto a convenient tool to analyze basic mechanisms in boundary-layer fl
ows. The most important area of application, however, is the use of th
e PSE approach for transition analysis in aerodynamic design. Together
with the adjoint linear problem, PSE methods promise improved design
capabilities for laminar flow control systems.