Re: [boost] GSOC LP library for Boost

Subject: Re: [boost] GSOC LP library for Boost
From: Simonson, Lucanus J (lucanus.j.simonson_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-03-28 13:32:29

Chad Seibert wrote:
> Previously, I mentioned implementing an LP library for Boost.
> However, there didn't seem to be a consensus on how I should go about
> it. If we can't agree on a method of attack, then there is no hope
> for me to get a proposal 
> through the selection committee. So now, I solicit the communities
> advice on writing a wrapper for lp_solve, an LGPL library that
> purported to be one of the most stable free LP solvers. Do we care
> that a dependency is LGPL? I've done my due diligence and there
> doesn't seem to be a comparable MIT/Boost licensed library.

You should be able to define a generic C++ interface to an LP solver by defining what traits an LP solver has then implement adaptors for those traits for lp_solve.  That way the library doesn't depend on lp_solve directly and the user is able to use the same generic C++ interface with the LP solver of their choice, including commercial solvers.  That is what I would to, abstract away the solver so that any solver can be dropped in without changing the usage of the solver in client code.  That is good design whether a particular solver has license issues or not.

Regards,
Luke