Four possible definitions of the commutation relation [S,T]=\Id of two
closable unbounded operators S,T are compared. The {\em weak} sense of this
commutator is given in terms of the inner product of the Hilbert space \H
where the operators act. Some consequences on the existence of eigenvectors of
two number-like operators are derived and the partial O*-algebra generated by
S,T is studied. Some applications are also considered.Comment: In press in Journal of Mathematical Physic