On variational and topological methods in nonlinear difference equations

In this paper, first we survey the recent progress in usage of the critical point theory to study the existence of multiple periodic and subharmonic solutions in second order difference equations and discrete Hamiltonian systems with variational structure. Next, we propose a new topological method, based on the application of the equivariant version of the Brouwer degree to study difference equations without an extra assumption on variational structure. New result on the existence of multiple periodic solutions in difference systems (without assuming that they are their variational) satisfying a Nagumo-type condition is obtained. Finally, we also put forward a new direction for further investigations.