The finite difference method is a universal and efficient numerical method for solving differential equations. Its intensive development, which began at the end of 1940s and the beginning of 1950s, was stimulated by the need to cope with a number of complex problems of science and technology. Powerful computers provided an impetus of paramount importance for the development and application of the finite difference method which in itself is sufficiently simple in utilization and can be conveniently realized using computers of different architecture. A large number of complicated multidimensional problems in electrodynamics, elasticity theory, fluid mechanics, gas dynamics, theory of particle and radiation transfer, atmosphere and ocean dynamics, and plasma physics were solved employing the finite difference techniques.