The static output feedback (SOF) stabilization problem for general linear, continuous-time and discrete-time systems is discussed. A few novel necessary and sufficient conditions are proposed, and a modified SOF stabilization problem with performance is studied.For multiple-input single-output (or single-input multiple-output) systems the relation with a class of Hankel matrices, and their inverses, in the continuous-time case and with a class of Toeplitz matrices, in the discrete-time case, is established. These relationships are used to construct conceptual numerical algorithms. Finally, it is shown that, in the continuous-time case, the problem can be recast as a concave-convex programming problem. A few worked out examples illustrate the underlying theory.