Discrete dynamical systems: Limit sets Stability of invariant sets and asymptotically smooth maps Examples of asymptotically smooth maps Dissipativeness and global attractors Dependence on parameters Fixed point theorems Stability relative to the global attractor and Morse-Smale maps Dimension of the global attractor Dissipativeness in two spaces Continuous dynamical systems: Limit sets Asymptotically smooth and $\alpha$-contracting semigroups Stability of invariant sets Dissipativeness and global attractors Dependence on parameters Periodic processes Skew product flows Gradient flows Dissipativeness in two spaces Properties of the flow on the attractor Applications: Retarded functional differential equations Sectorial evolutionary equations A scalar parabolic equation The Navier-Stokes equation Neutral functional differential equations Some abstract evolutionary equations A one-dimensional damped wave equation A three-dimensional damped wave equation Remarks on other applications Dependence on parameters and approximation of the attractor.