Samples and statistics of CSS and GPS sources

Several samples have been proposed in the last years in order to study the properties of intrinsically small sources. In this paper, we review the properties of the main samples that are currently available, both selected on the basis of spectral index and of morphology. As a result of the work in this area, large numbers of intrinsically small sources have been found. We summarize the present status of hot spot advance measurements, listing 18 sources with available VLBI data. The mean hot spot separation velocity is vsep = (0.19 ± 0.11) h–1c, and the kinematic ages span the range from 20 to 3000 years. Finally, we present a brief outlook on the use of future instrumentation in order to improve our understanding of radio source evolution. Prospects for VSOP2, e-VLA, e-MERLIN, LOFAR, ALMA, and Fermi are suggested (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)