Exact solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations by singularity analysis

Whether integrable, partially integrable or nonintegrable, nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) can be handled from scratch with essentially the same toolbox, when one looks for analytic solutions in closed form. The basic tool is the appropriate use of the singularities of the solutions, and this can be done without knowing these solutions in advance. Since the elaboration of the singular manifold method by Weiss et al., many improvements have been made. After some basic recalls, we give an interpretation of the method allowing us to understand why and how it works. Next, we present the state of the art of this powerful technique , trying as much as possible to make it a (computerizable) algorithm. Finally, we apply it to various PDEs in 1 + 1 dimensions, mostly taken from physics, some of them chaotic : Direct and inverse methods in nonlinear evolution equations,