Magnetic reconnection is important because of its connection with the
topology of held lines. In general, a change in topology means a chang
e of equilibrium, and a release of energy, such as occurs in solar fla
res. In the context of the solar flare two models for magnetic reconne
ction, the Sweet-Parker and the Petschek mechanism are presented. The
pros and cons of these two models are presented. The role of anomalous
resistivity in the Sweet-Parker model is discussed. The bearing of a
laboratory experiment and a boundary layer analysis of the problem are
described. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.