Huneke's conjecture that weak d-sequences generate ideals of quadratiC
type is proved. The proof suggests the definition of quadratic sequen
ces, which are more general than weak d-sequences yet simpler to defin
e and handle, in addition to being just as useful. We extend the theor
y of d-sequences and weak d-sequences to quadratic sequences. Results
of Costa on sequences of linear type are generalized. An example of a
two-dimensional local domain in which every system of parameters is a
d-sequence in some order but which nevertheless fails to be Buchsbaum
is given. A criterion is established for when equality holds in Burch'
s inequality for an ideal generated by a quadratic sequence.