[cwt137]

Just last week I was looking into OptaPlanner [1] and MiniZinc [2]. OptaPlanner even has a real-time/continuous optimization mode. There are a whole bunch of other solutions, but these were the most interesting to me.

I wonder why Google didn't just go with an off the shelf solution and integrate it instead of building their own solution?

[1] https://www.optaplanner.org/ [2] https://www.minizinc.org/

[zepfred]

There is also the Timfold project [1], which continues OptaPlanner and offers ongoing support and further innovation [2]. You can find the documentation here [3] and some helpful examples here [4].

[1] - https://timefold.ai/ [2] - https://timefold.ai/blog/red-hat-optaplanner-end-of-life-not... [3] - https://docs.timefold.ai/timefold-solver/latest/quickstart/o... [4] - https://github.com/TimefoldAI/timefold-quickstarts/

[marcyb5st]

Googler here, but not working anywhere related to optimization problems.

Google developed its solver a while ago [1] and it has been open sourced more recently. Additionally, it is also a supported solver for Minizinc [2] so you can use it with a well known tool/syntax without having to rely on the python/C++ libraries. However, those give you access to some of the solvers specific features that can help you speed up solving time.

[1] https://developers.google.com/optimization/ [2] https://www.minizinc.org/doc-2.4.3/en/solvers.html#or-tools

[cerved]

MiniZinc is a high-level CP language and tool chain, not a solver. Google has been developing their suite of OR tools for 15+ years, it's not like they built something from scratch just for this