Large-Scale Systems: Modeling and Control

Given the complex, multidimensional nature of contemporary society, many real-life problems are 'large-scale' by nature, rather than by choice. The subject matter of 'large-scale' systems is a recently developed and increasingly important topic, and unfortunately, few monographs are available in which such issues are addressed. (For the interested reader, attention is drawn to the new journal "Large Scale Systems Theory and Applications".) As many features of large-scale systems theory have been developed only recently, it is understandable that this topic has not been disseminated more widely. Jamshidi provides a timely pedagogic discussion of this important field and, by examining past, present and potential future trends, he gives scientists who are unfamiliar with these recent advances an opportunity to comprehend the subject through a balanced overview.