A review on recent work and developments in dc glow discharges at atmospheric pressure when used as radiation sources for optical atomic spectrometry and mass spectrometry is given. Diagnostics and analytical features of dc glow discharges at atmospheric pressure between conductive solid electrodes as well as with a liquid as the cathode and flowing afterglow sources were described. Possibilities for the introduction of analytes in solutions, in the gaseous state and direct solids sampling were discussed.