Generative adversarial networks (GANs) are a hot research topic recently. GANs have been widely studied since 2014, and a large number of algorithms have been proposed. However, there is few comprehensive study explaining the connections among different GANs variants, and how they have evolved. In this paper, we attempt to provide a review on various GANs methods from the perspectives of algorithms, theory, and applications. Firstly, the motivations, mathematical representations, and structure of most GANs algorithms are introduced in details. Furthermore, GANs have been combined with other machine learning algorithms for specific applications, such as semi-supervised learning, transfer learning, and reinforcement learning. This paper compares the commonalities and differences of these GANs methods. Secondly, theoretical issues related to GANs are investigated. Thirdly, typical applications of GANs in image processing and computer vision, natural language processing, music, speech and audio, medical field, and data science are illustrated. Finally, the future open research problems for GANs are pointed out.

本文从算法、理论和应用三个方面综述了各种生成对抗网络（GANs）算法的动机、数学表示和结构特点，比较了不同GANs方法的共同性和差异，探讨了GANs相关的理论问题以及在图像处理、自然语言处理、医疗领域、数据科学等领域的应用，并指出了未来GANs的开放性研究问题。

生成对抗网络综述：算法、理论和应用