On the pulsation and evolutionary properties of helium burning radially pulsating variables

We discuss pulsation and evolutionary properties of low- (RR Lyrae, Type II Cepheids) and intermediate-mass (Anomalous Cepheids) radial variables. We focus our attention on the topology of the instability strip and the distribution of the quoted variables in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. We discuss their evolutionary status and the dependence on the metallicity. Moreover, we address the diagnostics (period derivative, difference in luminosity, stellar mass) that can provide solid constraints on their progenitors and on the role that binarity and environment have in shaping their current pulsation characteristics. Finally, we briefly outline their use as standard candles.