I shall present known results on the following topics in the contexts of associative, Lie, and Jordan algebras:

1. Derivations and cohomology of finite dimensional algebras

2. Structure and continuity of derivations on operator and Banach algebras

3. Continuous cohomology of operator algebras, including perturbation theory and the role of complete boundedness

My purpose is to provide the background for a study of cohomology of Banach triple systems (associative, Lie, and Jordan), which currently exists only in finite dimensions, and minimally at that.