Well quasi-order in combinatorics : embeddings and homomorphisms

Abstract

The notion of well quasi-order (wqo) from the theory of ordered sets often arises naturally in contexts where one deals with infinite collections of structures which can somehow be compared, and it then represents a useful discriminator between ‘tame’ and ‘wild’ such classes. In this article we survey such situations within combinatorics, and attempt to identify promising directions for further research. We argue that these are intimately linked with a more systematic and detailed study of homomorphisms in combinatorics.