1. Maximal Software
Introduction to Maximal Software
and the MPL Modeling System
Presented by
Bjarni Kristjansson
Maximal Software, Inc.
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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2. MPL Seminar Overview
• History and Development of the MPL Modeling System
• Introducing the MPL Free Development Program
• Recent News and Trends in Optimization
• Formulating and Solving Optimization Models in MPL
• OptiMax – Embedding Optimization in Applications
• MPL OptiMax for .Net, Python, and Matlab
• Integrating Native Data Structures with Add methods
• New MPLLib DLL with C-API Interface
• Multi-Threaded support for MPL OptiMax Servers
• Connecting MPL OptiMax with Web API’s and Web Services
• Deploying Optimization on Mobile/Tablet computers
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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3. Maximal Software - History
1987 - Turbo-Simplex for DOS and Macintosh (LP for PC/Mac)
1989 - MPL Modeling System introduced (Optimization modeling)
1990 - Maximal Software opened in the States (Closer to market)
1991 - MPL Modeling System 2.0 (Extended memory)
1992 - MPL for Windows and Motif (Windows 3.0)
1993 - Database Connection (Open data access)
1994 - Maximal Web site, DLL solvers in memory (Web, CallLib.)
1995 - MPL for Windows 4.0, 32-bit (Windows 95)
1996 - Run-times, Embed into Applications (Optimization apps)
1997 - MPL for Windows 4.1, Full scalability (Very large models)
1999 - OptiMax 2000 Component Library (RAD/components)
2001 - Distributed Applications with MPL (Web services)
2002 - Stochastic Extensions for MPL (MPL/SPInE)
2004 - Open Source, CoinMP and Global Solvers (New solvers)
2005 - XML Support, APO, SAP (Connectivity)
2007 - New Solvers, MOPS, KNITRO, Hessian (Nonlinear)
2008 - Stochastic Extensions, Free Academic Program (Stochastic)
2009 - Free Development Copies of MPL (Free software)
2010 - MPL for Python, MPL for .NET (Deployment)
2011 - Thread-safe, Add Native Data, C-API, MPL for Matlab (Servers)
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved 3
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4. Algebraic Modeling Languages
Independent Modeling Languages
• MPL
• GAMS
• AMPL
• AIMMS
Solver Modeling Languages
• MOSEL / XPressMP
• OPL Studio
• LINGO
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved 4
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5. Choosing a Modeling Language
• Modeling Language (complete, easy-to-learn)
• Multiple platforms (Windows, Motif, Mac)
• Open Design (multiple solvers/databases)
• Indexing (powerful sparse index and data handling)
• Scalability (millions of rows/columns)
• Memory Management (dynamic/own heap manager)
• Speed (nonzeros per minute)
• Robust (very stable code, years of testing)
• Deployment (embed into applications)
• Price (development, runtimes, multiple, servers)
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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6. MPL Integrated Model
Development Environment
MPL Modeling System
• Graphical User Interface
• Algebraic Modeling Language
• Database Connection
• Direct Link to Solvers
• Option Dialog Boxes
• Run-times/End-user Applications
• On-line Help
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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7. MPL - Data Sources
Text Files
• Dense Data Files
• Sparse Data Files
Binary Files
• GDX Files (GAMS) New!
Spreadsheets
• Excel Automation
Databases
• ODBC
• Access
• Excel Lists
• Oracle (OCI)
ERP
• SAP New!
XML New!
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved 7
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8. MPL - Solver Support
• CPLEX 12.5 (LP, MIP, BAR, MIQP)
• GUROBI 5.0 (LP, MIP, BAR, MIQP)
• XPRESS (LP, MIP, BAR, MIQP)
• FortMP (LP, MIP, BAR, MIQP)
• LindoAPI (LP, MIP, BAR, MIQP, NLP, MINLP)
• SULUM New! (LP, MIP)
• XA (LP, MIP)
• CoinMP (LP, MIP)
• GLPK (LP, MIP, BAR)
• LPSolve (LP, MIP)
• CONOPT (LP, NLP)
• KNITRO (LP, MIP, NLP, MINLP)
• LSGRG2 (LP, NLP)
• LGO (NLP Global)
• PATH (Complementarity)
• BendX (Stochastic)
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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9. Maximal Software Web Site
Maximal Web site completely redesigned
• Product Information
• MPL User Manual
• On-Line Tutorials
• Free Software Downloads
• Request Information
• Model Library / Examples
• Knowledge Base/FAQ
• Slide Presentations / Papers
www.maximalsoftware.com
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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10. New Release of MPL
Release 4.2n:
• MPL OptiMax for Python (PYD files)
• MPL OptiMax for .Net (CSharp/VB)
• MPL Connection for Matlab (MEX files)
• C-API interface for MplLib42.dll (with over 600 functions)
• Multiple new objects, methods and properties for OptiMax
• Seamless integration with most native data structures in
Python and CSharp/VB
• Lot of new MPL and OptiMax samples in various
programming languages
• MPL OptiMax Server version with full multi-threaded
support
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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11. Recent News in Optimization
Major News in the Field of Optimization during 2008:
• DASH purchase by Fair Isaac (Feb 2008)
• Gurobi Optimization is started (Apr 2008)
• IBM Announces plan to purchase ILOG (Jul 2008)
• Microsoft releases MS Solver Foundation (Sep 2008)
• Gurobi LP/MIP 1.0 solver is released (Dec 2008)
• ILOG purchase by IBM finalized (Jan 2009)
2008 was Truly the Year of the Change!
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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12. Recent Trends in Optimization
Current Major Trends in IT and Optimization:
• New Solvers Released
• Parallel Computing
• Grids and Clouds
• Virtual Machines
Changes how Optimization will be Sold in the Future:
• Subscription based pricing
• Floating / Network Licenses
• Increased importance of runtime licenses
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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13. Virtual Machines for Development & Testing
Virtualization
• Create virtual machines in a folder
• Behaves like physical machine with few exceptions
• Good for development and testing, not only servers
• Multiple operating systems running simultaneously
• 64-bit vs. 32-bit, Linux vs. Windows, etc.
• New processors optimized for virtualization
• Good use of multi-core machines
• Snapshots allows restoring to an earlier state
• Can be duplicated and moved between machines
• Software: VMWare, Microsoft, Xen (open-source)
Copyright © 2012 Maximal Software, Inc. All rights reserved
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