Norm optimization problem for linear operators in classical Banach spaces

The main result of the paper shows that, for 1 < p < ∞ and 1 ≤ q < ∞, a linear operator T: ℓ _p → ℓ _q attains its norm if, and only if, there exists a not weakly null maximizing sequence for T (counterexamples can be easily constructed when p = 1). For 1 < p ≠ q < ∞, as a consequence of the previous result we show that any not weakly null maximizing sequence for a norm attaining operator T: ℓ _p → ℓ _q has a norm-convergent subsequence (and this result is sharp in the sense that it is not valid if p = q). We also investigate lineability of the sets of norm-attaining and non-norm attaining operators.