A mathematical journal is a learned journal which publishes exclusively mathematical papers. One of the best definitions of the current state of mathematics, as a research field, is that is consists of theorems with proofs published in a reputable mathematical journal, and which have passed through the process of peer review called refereeing. A relatively small proportion of mathematicals papers concerned with pure mathematics are published through more general, science-based learned journals. Applied mathematics may be published in publications more oriented towards engineering. Theoretical computer science has a journal literature now more comparable to that of mathematics.