Compiling the Sample Application with Microsoft Windows

Here is a sketch outline of how to get started with SYMPHONY in Windows. This is basically the same information contained in the README file that comes with the distribution and will lead you through the steps required to compile the sample application, a VRP and TSP solver. Direct support is provided for compilation under MS Visual Studio 6.0. Compilation for other compilers should also be possible. Note that the windows version has some limitations. Detailed timing information is not currently provided. Support is only provided for running in sequential mode at this time.

• Download SYMPHONY-3.0.zip and unzip the archive. This will create a subdirectory called SYMPHONY-3.0$\backslash$ containing all the source files.

• In MS Visual C++ 6.0, open the workspace SYMPHONY-3.0$\backslash$WIN32$\backslash$symphony.dsw. Note that there are two projects, one called ``symphony'' and one called ``vrp''. The symphony project contains the source code needed to build the internal library. The vrp project contains the source code for the user-defined functions needed to build the sample application, a VRP and TSP solver. Note that to develop a solver of your own, you would replace the VRP library with one of your own.

• By default, SYMPHONY is set up to use CPLEX 7.0 installed in a folder called ``C:$\backslash$ILOG$\backslash$CPLEX70''. To use a different LP solver or to specify a different location for CPLEX, there are a number of changes that need to be made.
  • You must specify the name of and path to the library to be linked. Do this by right-clicking on the symphony project and choosing ``Add Files to Project...'' Then locate the library file for the LP solver you are using (either CPLEX or OSL). For CPLEX, you need the library called cplex**.lib, where ** is your CPLEX version.

  • You must set the include path for the solver header files. Do this by right-clicking on the symphony project and choosing ``Settings...'' Then choose the ``C/C++'' tab, and choose the category ``Preprocessor'' on the drop-down menu. Edit the path in the ``Additional include directories'' window.

  • You must set the compiler defines so that the right LP solver interface will be used. Follow the procedure above to get to the preprocessor settings and make sure that __OSLLIB__ is defined if you are using OSL or __CPLEX**__ is defined if you are using CPLEX, where ** is your version of CPLEX, i.e., __CPLEX70__ for CPLEX 7.0. DO NOT CHANGE COMPILER DEFINES NOT RELATED TO THE LP SOLVER.

• Note that there are a number of additional compiler defines that control the functionality of SYMPHONY. These defines are described in SYMPHONY-3.0$\backslash$Makefile, a Unix-style make file included with the distribution. To enable the functionality associated with a particular compiler define, simply add it to the list of defines under the preprocessor settings, as above.

• You must also be sure to have any ``.dll'' files required for your LP solver to be in your search path. Either move the required .dll to the directory containing symphony.exe or add the path to the ``PATH'' Windows environment variable.

• Once you have the proper settings for your LP solver, choose "Build symphony.exe" from the ``Build'' menu. This should successfully build the executable.

• To test the executable, right click on the symphony project, go to the ``Debug'' tab and set the Program arguments to ``-F SYMPHONY-3.0$\backslash$sample.vrp -N 5 -u 522.'' Note that command-line switches are Unix-style. The argument to -N is the number of routes that should be used in the solution and the -u argument supplies the solver with an initial upper bound.

• Now choose ``Execute'' from the ``Build'' menu and the solver should solve the sample VRP file.

• Note that there is some functionality missing from the Windows version. Most prominently, the timing functions do not work. I suppose this functionality should be easy to add. In addition, the Windows version will only run in sequential mode for a veriety of reasons. However, it should be relatively easy to get it running in parallel if you can get PVM working under Windows.