This paper reviews the static output feedback problem in the control o
f linear, time-invariant (LTI) systems. It includes analytical and com
putational methods and presents in a unified fashion the knowledge gai
ned in the decades of research into this important open problem. The p
aper shows that although many approaches and techniques exist to appro
ach different versions of the problem, no efficient algorithmic soluti
ons are available. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.