We review the method of symplectic invariants recently introduced to solve
matrix models loop equations, and further extended beyond the context of matrix
models. For any given spectral curve, one defined a sequence of differential
forms, and a sequence of complex numbers Fg . We recall the definition of the
invariants Fg, and we explain their main properties, in particular symplectic
invariance, integrability, modularity,... Then, we give several example of
applications, in particular matrix models, enumeration of discrete surfaces
(maps), algebraic geometry and topological strings, non-intersecting brownian
motions,...Comment: review article, Latex, 139 pages, many figure
