# Setting boundary values of a second order differential equation

Not sure what is wrong with the boundary conditions for this problem:

NDSolve[{D[u[x, y], x, x] + D[u[x, y], y, y] -
u[x, y] == -DiracDelta[x, y], u[10, y] == 0, u[x, 10] == 0,
u[-10, y] == 0}, u, {x, 0, 10}, {y, 0, 10}].


The error message is:

NDSolve::ivone: Boundary values may only be specified for one independent variable. Initial values may only be specified at one value of the other independent variable.

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There are two problems: Mathematica doesn't support elliptic PDEs. Please see here. Some of this is explained if you click the >> after the error message. The other problem (which is not the cause of the error) is that you can't (it doesn't make sense to) use DiracDelta in a numerical method. –  Szabolcs Feb 5 '13 at 17:19
@Yong, could you explain a bit what you wanted to achieve? Then, perhaps, there may be a solution. –  user21 Feb 5 '13 at 19:28

Mathematica does not support the numerical solution of elliptic PDEs. This is explained here. It is also mentioned in the page that opens if you click the >> after the error message. It only supports initial value problems.
Another problem with your input is the use of DiracDelta. It doesn't make sense to use this function in a numerical method. But this is not the cause of the error message.