"This paper discusses a class of compact second order accurate finite difference equations for mixed initial-boundary value problems for hyperbolic and convective-diffusion equations. Convergence is proved by means of an energy argument and both types of equations are solved by similar algorithms. For hyperbolic equations an extension of the Lax-Wendroff method is described which incorporates dissipative boundary conditions. Upwind-downwind differencing techniques arise as the formal hyperbolic limit of the convective-diffusion equation. Finally, a finite difference 'chain-rule' transforms the schemes from rectangular to quadrilateral subdomains" -- abstract.