  In this paper, we revisit the augmented Lagrangian method for a class of
nonsmooth convex optimization. We present the Lagrange optimality system of the
augmented Lagrangian associated with the problems, and establish its
connections with the standard optimality condition and the saddle point
condition of the augmented Lagrangian, which provides a powerful tool for
developing numerical algorithms. We apply a linear Newton method to the
Lagrange optimality system to obtain a novel algorithm applicable to a variety
of nonsmooth convex optimization problems arising in practical applications.
Under suitable conditions, we prove the nonsingularity of the Newton system and
the local convergence of the algorithm.
