Solver

Solver (English, German solver ) is a collective term for special mathematical computer programs that can solve mathematical problems numerically.

Description

Solver can exist as stand-alone software package or can be integrated as a library into other software systems.

Solvers are mostly programmed to solve specific problems, such as

  • Linear and Nonlinear Systems of Equations
  • Very Rational Functions
  • Mathematical Optimization
  • Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Satisfiability of propositional logic
  • Constraint Satisfaction Problem
  • Shortest path problem
  • Minimal spanning tree problem
  • Search method

The General Problem Solver (GPS ) tried in 1957 to write a software that can solve any problem formalized Herbert Simon, JC Shaw, and Allen Newell. This was the first computer program, the knowledge about the problem (ie, so-called application domain ), and the problem-solving strategy separated ( the so-called engine).

General use Solver to date, this architecture in which they separate the definition of the problem and the solution strategy. While GPS only the goal of the solution was still the completeness, use today's Solver specific strategies that are tailored to specific classes of problems. Advantage of this separation is that these solvers must be coordinated more universal and not limited to specific problem instances.

Since in certain classes of problems in part, a very large number of solution algorithms exist solver often use multiple strategies simultaneously to solve a problem.

Examples

  • General Problem Solver - software with a general problem solving method
  • SAT solver - Software for the satisfiability of propositional logic
  • FE solver - software for solution of finite element tasks (eg Nastran )
  • STRIPS - Automatic scheduling software
Mathematical software Instance (computer science)
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