Questions that arose from linear programming and combinatorial
optimization have been a driving force for modern polytope theory, such
as the diameter questions motivated by the desire to understand the
complexity of the simplex algorithm, or the need to study facets for use
in cutting plane procedures. In addition, algorithms now provide the
means to computationally study polytopes, to compute their parameters
such as flag vectors, graphs and volumes, and to construct examples of
large complexity. The papers of this volume thus display a wide panorama
of connections of polytope theory with other fields. Areas such as
discrete and computational geometry, linear and combinatorial
optimization, and scientific computing have contributed a combination of
questions, ideas, results, algorithms and, finally, computer programs.