OptiMax 2000 OptiMax 2000OptiMax 2000 is a new object oriented Component Library, specifically designed to take full advantage of the ActiveX Automation component software technologies from Microsoft. It can be used to seamlessly integrate the MPL Modeling Language into various different programming platforms, such as VBA for Excel/Access, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Delphi, Java, and standard scripting languages for the Web.
When working with optimization models, modeling language such as MPL, is very effective handling the all data manipulations, the matrix generation for the solver, and the solution output. After model has been built and tested, an end-user application needs to be built, using a graphical front-end to allow the user to edit the model data and view the results in easy-to-use manner.
This is where the OptiMax 2000 library becomes very useful, allowing highly customized end-user applications to be built, to solve real-world optimization problems, using state-of-the-art optimization technologies.
The OptiMax 2000 is an object library that contains very extensive set of collections, objects, methods and properties, covering all aspects of implementing optimization models in end-user applications. This includes reading and maintaining models, writing solution files, importing and exporting data, solving models, and option handling. The library as well as gives full access to all the internal data structures that MPL uses to store model information. Full cross-referenced documentation of the OptiMax 2000 Object Model is available.
The OptiMax 2000 library can be used with any programming platform that is compatible with the ActiveX/Com component software technologies from Microsoft. OptiMax comes with the so called dual interface and is therefore also compatible with any programming language that support the standard Automation interface.
Following is a list of some of the languages that can be used with the OptiMax library. Please refer to the OptiMax Samples page for code examples of how to use OptiMax in these languages.
Visual Basic from Microsoft is the programming language that is the easiest to work with when creating OptiMax applications. This is due to its high integration with Automation interfaces and easy-to-learn approach.
Visual Basic also comes as a standard with Microsoft Office applications, such as Excel and Access, as well as multiple other popular applications from other companies. This version of Visual Basic is called VBA or Visual Basic for Applications and due to its ready availability, is often the most convenient way to create programs using OptiMax. Most of the examples in this manual will be done using the VBA in Microsoft Excel.
When creating applications with OptiMax where speed is important or full flexibility is needed, Visual C++ is often the language of choice. It is not as quick and easy to program as Visual Basic, but still fairly straightforward to use. In most cases the standard COM interfaces for OptiMax are used when programming with Visual C++, as compared with the Automation interface which is most often used in Visual Basic.
The OptiMax library can be used from Visual J++ which is the Microsoft version of the Java language. The Microsoft SDK for Java can be downloaded from the Microsoft web site: www.microsoft.com/java.
Another popular language that can be used with OptiMax is Delphi from Inprise/Borland. This language is based on Pascal and can be very effective to create end-user applications.
Maximal also offers the MPL Modeling System, with an algebraic modeling language that allows you to set up complicated models, involving thousands of constraints, in a clear, concise, and efficient manner.
Please check the Maximal Web Site for further information on the OptiMax 2000 Component Library or contact us directly at:
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