Modeling the internal structure of dynamical systems from input-output relationships (abstract realization theory). I (Q759698)

\textit{R. E. Kalman, P. L. Falb} and \textit{M. A. Arbib}, the founders of modern control theory, note in the introduction to their book [''Topics in Mathematical System Theory'', New York (1969; Zbl 0231.49001)] that the revolution that we are witnessing in the area of systems theory is based on ideas related to four basic notions: state, control, optimization, and realization. The purpose of this survey is to attract the attention to certain promising and fruitful directions emerging in the realization theory of dynamical systems, which is still in an embryonic stage of development [see \textit{N. S. Osetinskij}, ''Mathematical methods in systems theory'', 271-327, Moscow (1979)].