The use of polymeric supports for directed regiospecific assembly of oligosaccharides, glycopeptides and phosphoglycans is considered. In some cases, synthesis of oligosaccharides on supports is more efficient than the corresponding synthesis in solution, although this cannot still compare favourably with the latter. Examples of successful solid-phase syntheses of complex oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates are given. Special emphasis is laid on the choice of optimum supports, linkers and glycosylation methods. The bibliography includes 105 references.