Optimization Toolbox

Preface

What Is the Optimization Toolbox?

The Optimization Toolbox is a collection of functions that extend the capability of the MATLAB® numeric computing environment. The toolbox includes routines for many types of optimization including:

• Unconstrained nonlinear minimization
• Constrained nonlinear minimization, including goal attainment problems, minimax problems, and semi-infinite minimization problems
• Quadratic and linear programming
• Nonlinear least squares and curve-fitting
• Nonlinear system of equation solving
• Constrained linear least squares
• Sparse and structured large-scale problems

All of the toolbox functions are MATLAB M-files, made up of MATLAB statements that implement specialized optimization algorithms. You can view the MATLAB code for these functions using the statement

type function_name

You can extend the capabilities of the Optimization Toolbox by writing your own M-files, or by using the toolbox in combination with other toolboxes, or with MATLAB, or Simulink®.

This Preface also provides information about:

• New features in Version 2.1
• Using this guide, which includes a summary of the chapters
• Acknowledgements
• Related MathWorks products
• Checking if the Optimization Toolbox is installed on your system
• Technical and typographical conventions used in this manual

Using the Optimization Toolbox

New Features in Version 2.1