Analysis of fully discrete approximations to parabolic problems with rough or distribution-valued initial data

Summary. We consider fully discrete approximations to a parabolic initial-boundary value problem with rough or distribution-valued initial data in two space dimensions. For discretization in time and space, we apply single step methods and the standard Galerkin method with piecewise linear test functions, respectively. For spatial discretization of the initial condition, we are however forced to use more involved constructions. Our main result is stability and error estimates of the discrete solutions. Received October 21, 1999 / Revised version received May 3, 2001 / Published online December 18, 2001