The review discusses the research and technological potential of contemporary sources of synchrotron radiation. A comparison is made of various sources of ultraviolet and x radiation. Characteristics are given of present electron storage rings--the principal sources of synchrotron radiation, and the means and limits of their further refinement are discussed. The features of performing experiments with synchrotron radiation in storage rings are considered. The main formulas characterizing the properties of synchrotron radiation are presented in a form convenient for practical calculations. The regions of application of synchrotron radiation are discussed (x-ray microscopy, x-ray structural analysis, and molecular, atomic, and nuclear spectroscopy). The principal attention is given to those questions in which the use of synchrotron radiation opens new possibilities. The prospects for practical application of synchrotron radiation are discussed (metrology, medicine, materials science, radiation technology).