This paper is a survey on the algebraic approach to the theory of automata accepting infinite words. We discuss the various acceptance modes (Büchi automata, Muller automata, transition automata, weak recognition by a finite semigroup, ω-semigroups) and prove their equivalence. We also give two algebraic proofs of McNaughton’s theorem on the equivalence between Büchi and Muller automata. Finall...