Compendia

Optimization programming is an extremely declarative paradigm which is beyond fantastic and also exactly why many newcomers get into trouble.

An unpacking of the five major components of an optimization model: SETS, parameters, Variables, Objective and Constraints.

Extolling the value of tools like Git, fast code/text editors, exploratory data analysis (EDA) tools like GraphXR, whiteboarding tools like Whimsical, containerization, model/data separation and friendly syntax and naming conventions.

This app finds multiple LEGO sets buildable concurrently from a user’s parts. Fast solutions come from the (great!) open source HiGHS solver, use of flat-file data imports, shrinking sets before solving, tweaking constraints, and more.

A methodical walk across the optimization toolchain and down through the underlying stack/OS in search of performance bottlenecks and their remedies.

My perspective on the markets for optimization products, services and skills in 2024 and beyond. I address developers, students, tool buyers and vendors in light of the current AI explosion.

A show-and-tell discussion of generative AI’s current value in writing optimization models, data integrations, tests, UIs. Also some discussion about readability of natural vs AML language for humans.

Thanks to the folks without whom this would not happen: Seth Godin, Steve Walters, The Black Crowes, Martha Wells and Murderbot, Techno Tim, Christian Lempa, Veronica Explains, Lawrence Systems, Jeff Delaney and Fireship.io, Nuno Coração and Blowfish, the Rebrickable Team, Rebecca and you.

A call to the optimization community to build valuable resources together: models and integrations, open source solvers, a pro-bono project marketplace, tool-agnostic discussion forum(s).