English

New Characterizations of Nonsmooth Convex Functions via Generalized Derivatives

Optimization and Control 2026-03-27 v1

Abstract

This paper studies the convexity properties of nonsmooth extended-real-valued weakly convex functions, a class of functions that is central to modern optimization and its applications. We establish new characterizations of convexity using second-order generalized derivative tools, including subgradient graphical derivatives, second subderivatives, and second-order subdifferentials. These tools allow us to derive necessary and sufficient conditions for convexity in the nonsmooth framework.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2603.24951,
  title  = {New Characterizations of Nonsmooth Convex Functions via Generalized Derivatives},
  author = {Vo Thanh Phat},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.24951},
  year   = {2026}
}