A microcomputer-based network optimization package

Abstract

An important branch of mathematical programming in concerned with optimization in systems described by networks. This paper describes an integrated suite of advanced techniques for dealing with minimum cost network flow formulations. Written in Pascal and implemented on a microcomputer representative of current small computer technology (the Apple II), this package places unprecedented modeling versatility and solution capability on the analyst's desktop. Able to solve small to medium size problems (3000 arcs or less) at reasonable speeds, programs to handle capacitated linear, nonlinear (convex separable), mixed integer and elastic ranged linear models in addition to comprehensive control and data management routines are included. Problem size and solution speed benchmarks are given for a variety of models.