this volume reviews the current status with respect to both theory and observation of the extragalactic distance scale. a sufficient accuracy is required both for a precise determination of the cosmological parameters and also in order to achieve a better understanding of physical processes in extragalactic systems. the standard candles, used to set up the extragalactic distance scale, reviewed in this book include cepheid variables, rr lyrae variables, novae, type ia and type ii supernovae as well as globular clusters and planetary nebulae.