(A) model management system for linear programming model formulation and modification

Abstract

One of the main problems confronted with linear programming (LP) model users is the frequent changes of models. When this situation is occurred, practitioners using LP models must reformulate the model repeatedly. Existing model management systems (MMS) are mainly concerned with model formulation and executability, not paying much attention to model modification. The primary purpose of this thesis is to develope an MMS for 1) easy modification and formulation of LP models, and for 2) the management of LP models in reusable forms. As a conceptural framework, structured modeling(SM) is used to represent LP models. We used a logic based executable modeling language LSM to represent and manipulate the LP models and extended it to be able to modify them. Three operations i.e., insert, delete and modify are used for the model modification of LP models. We implemented a prototype LP/SM, a first-order logic based language, designed to support non-expert users for activities performed during the modification and formulation of LP models with the domain of production planning.