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Comment by ant6n | Hacker News Reader

How does this relate to using integer linear programming to solve linear constraint problems? Why would one use a dedicated language?

When I model constraint satisfaction & optimization problems, I generally try to make linear models and define them using pulp in Python. The models are built by python programs; I feel using a dedicated domain-specific language is not so useful (you need general purpose computing to define problems, for example you need to read data that is necessary to build the model).

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How do you optimise a delivery route with specific window times for each drop off using a linear model? How do you schedule shifts for employees to satisfy business requirements without also violating their contracts? How do you fill a truck with the right combinations of goods so that it maximises the space used, but also doesn't unbalance the container, and can still be unloaded at each drop off using first in last out? How do you maximise operating capacity at a factory when each time you change what you are building requires stop start time and you need to produce a range of products consistently, while also meeting customer delivery windows, and you don't have unlimited storage for inventory and limited staff with specific skills that only work certain hours or days of the week? How does a retailer layout their warehouses so when the orders for stores are picked it minimises the labour costs for not only picking the orders, but also putting stock on the shelves at the stores? How much should they order for each item, and how often do you deliver to stores? You can probably guess I work in Supply Chain.

I believe you're trying to make a point about something, but all I can see are (rethorical?) questions.

Maybe saying some of that can't be formulated as LP/MIP?

All of these can be formulated by MIPS, so I didn't understand the point either.

I agree with you here. I think MiniZinc is more like a free/open-source version of the AIMMS modeling language, although AIMMS seems to have better I/O facilities.

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