OR-Tools - Google Optimization Tools
About OR-Tools
Google Optimization Tools, commonly referred to as OR-Tools, is a powerful and versatile suite of software aimed at tackling combinatorial optimization problems. It's open-source, meaning anyone can use or modify it freely, and is designed to be fast and portable, making it a great tool for various optimization needs.
OR-Tools offers a variety of tools to solve different kinds of optimization challenges:
- Constraint Programming Solvers: Known as CP* and CP-SAT, these solvers are excellent for problems where constraints define the solution space.
- Linear Programming Solvers: Includes Glop and PDLP solvers, which are crucial for handling linear problems.
- Commercial and Open Source Solver Wrappers: These are used for mixed integer solvers and enhance OR-Tools by integrating with other solvers.
- Bin Packing and Knapsack Algorithms: Useful for resource allocation problems.
- Traveling Salesman Problem and Vehicle Routing Problem Algorithms: Help address logistics and routing challenges.
- Graph Algorithms: Provide solutions for shortest paths, min cost flow, max flow, and linear sum assignment problems.
Developed originally in C++, OR-Tools also provides interfaces for Python, C#, and Java, ensuring a wide range of programming support.
Codemap
The structure of OR-Tools consists of several key components, each serving a different purpose:
- Makefile/CMake/Bazel: These are various build systems that help compile and manage the software.
- ortools Directory: Contains the source code, divided into different modules like algorithms, graph, linear_solver, and more. Each module includes various crafted samples to demonstrate their functionalities.
- Examples Directory: Houses example codes in different programming languages, as well as community contributed examples and tests.
- Tools Directory: Provides additional tools like scripts and binaries for easier use and setup.
Installation
OR-Tools supports multiple operating systems, including:
- Ubuntu (18.04 LTS and up)
- macOS Mojave
- Microsoft Windows with Visual Studio 2022
The suite can be built using Makefile, Bazel, and CMake, depending on the user's preference. Detailed instructions for installation are available on the Google Developers website.
Quick Start
For beginners looking to get started with OR-Tools, a comprehensive guide of tutorials is available on the developer guide. This quick start guide is an excellent way to familiarize oneself with the tools and begin using them effectively.
Documentation
Complete and detailed documentation can be found here. This resource is vital for users seeking in-depth knowledge and guidance on using OR-Tools effectively.
Contributing
Interested contributors should refer to the CONTRIBUTING.md file for detailed instructions on how to participate in the development of OR-Tools. Importantly, it includes instructions for submitting a Contributor License Agreement, which is a necessary step before making any code contributions.
License
OR-Tools is distributed under the Apache License 2.0. For more detailed information, users can refer to the LICENSE file. This licensing ensures that OR-Tools remains free and open for all users.