Computer Physics Communications Program Library

Programs in Physics & Physical Chemistry

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Manuscript Title: MERLIN-3.1.1 A new version of the Merlin optimization environment.
Authors: D.G. Papageorgiou, I.N. Demetropoulos, I.E. Lagaris
Program title: MERLIN-3.1.1
Catalogue identifier: ADSV
Journal reference: Comput. Phys. Commun. 159(2003)70
Programming language: Fortran 77.
Computer: SGI, SUN, INTEL.
Operating system: IRIX, Solaris, Linux, Windows.
Word size: 64
Keywords: Global and local Optimization, Modeling, Curve-fitting, Neural Network training, General purpose, Fitting.
Classification: 4.9.
Other versions:
Cat Id	Title	Reference
ADHQ	MERLIN-3.0	CPC 109(1998)227
ADHR	MCL-3.0	CPC 109(1998)250
Nature of problem: Many problems in Physics, Chemistry and Engineering and in other disciplines are frequently reduced to minimizing a function of many variables. As examples we refer to systems of non-linear equations, to modeling, to variational methods, to curve fitting and to the training of neural networks.
Reasons for new version: Responding to user feedback we enhanced the MERLIN package so as to simplify the installation and execution procedures and provide new facilities.
Summary of revisions: (1). We have automated the installation procedure for Unix systems by using the "make" facility. On non-Unix systems one may proceed with the instructions included in the previous version (MERLIN-3.0). The new installation procedure has also been tested successfully in the "CYGWIN" environment under Microsoft Windows. Installation instructions can be found in the new distribution. </br> (2). We have added the "run-merlin" Unix script that simplifies the compilation-linking-execution sequence. For instance it arranges automatically for the addition of the necessary "dummy" routines to satisfy the linker. It also simplifies the insertion of user-plugins.</br> (3). We have added an interface routine (SUBROUTINE OPTIMA) that permits a user to call from his own program the whole Merlin environment as a common library minimization routine. We also added two new commands, command PRICE that implements a global optimization algorithm and command CHKMIN that checks if a point is a true minimum or not. </br> (4). Various bug-fixes and improvements. </br> (5) The Merlin's control language compiler is also updated and included.
Restrictions: The only restriction is set by the available memory of the hardware configuration.
Running time: Depending on the objective function.