A survey of the Selberg class of \(L\)-functions. I (Q862028)

The paper under review is the first of two intended papers surveying class \({\mathcal S}\) of \(L\)-functions defined by \textit{A. Selberg} [Collected papers, Volume II, 47--63 (Springer 1991; Zbl 0729.11001, Zbl 0787.11037] as a set of Dirichlet series satisfying certain properties typical for \(L\)-functions. The paper gives a good readable discussion of the main results, conjectures and problems related to this class. The reader can find here basic definitions, motivation for them, brief ideas of used arguments and the basic references (its list contains 39 items). This part covers the following sections of the intended 12 sections: (1) Classical \(L\)-functions, (2) What is an \(L\)-function?, (3) Basic theory of the Selberg class, (4) invariants.