This self-contained encyclopedic monograph gives a detailed introduction to Bézout equations and stable ranks, encompassing and explaining needed topological, analytical, and algebraic tools and methods. Some of the highlights included are Carleson's corona theorem and the Bass, topological, and matricial stable ranks. The first volume focusses on topological structures, Banach algebras, and advanced function theory, thus preparing the stage for the algebraic structures in the second volume towards examining stable ranks with analytic methods. The main emphasis is laid on algebras of holomorphic functions. Often a new approach is presented or at least a different angle of sight, which makes the book attractive both for researchers and students interested in these active fields of research.