Re: [Help-glpk] ANNOUNCEMENT: OptimJ solver link for GLPK/Java

[Patrick Viry]

Larry,

> Curious.  Why is OptimJ released under a commercial license?  It is based on 
> Java, can be use as an Eclipse plug-in, and uses a number of free software or 
> open source solvers.

Nothing curious: the OptimJ language is based on Java, in the sense
that if you know Java you'll learn and master quickly the
optimization-specific features. But these are two different languages,
using different compilers and different Eclipse plugins. In short, we
designed and wrote the OptimJ compiler and tools from scratch.

Commercial plugins are commonplace for Eclipse, and commercial
modeling languages are commonplace for open source solvers.

> Is Optimj contributing back to the free software community?

Yes, when it is compatible with our business model and the need to
feed our families. See for instance the OptimJ GUI (graphical user
interface, soon available also for GLPK).

> I don't mean to call you out on this just wondering why.

You're welcome, this is a sensible question.

-Patrick