STATISTICAL MECHANICS AND DISORDERED SYSTEMS.

Considering the nature of the problem, it is natural that numerical methods should play a major role in modern statistical mechanics. One of the most fruitful approaches has been the use of computer simulations. This approch has increased in importance in recent years with the development of powerful methods of analysis for extracting information from the data and with the continued improvement in the capacity of modern computers. Since computers are able to simulate the equilibrium propertis of the model systems, they may also prove useful for solving the hard optimization problems that arise in the engineeirng of complex systems.