ALPS Version 0.6 README
=======================

Welcome to Alps. Alps is distributed under the Common Public License
Version 1.0 and is freely redistributable. All source code and documentation 
is Copyright 2001-2006 by Lehigh University, Yan Xu, and Ted Ralphs.
This README may be distributed freely.


WHAT IS ALPS
============

Alps is a framework for implementing parallel graph search algorithms. 
It generalizes many of the notions present in BCP, allowing the implementation
of a wider range of algorithms with a simplified interface. Alps implements
the search handling methods required for implementing large-scale,
data-intensive parallel search algorithms, such as those used for 
solving discrete optimization problems. It is the base layer of a 
planned hierarchy that will include a library for solving mixed-integer
linear programs.


PROJECT WEB PAGE
================

https://coral.ie.lehigh.edu/trac_projects/alps


DOCUMENTATION
=============

The html documentation of the classes in Alps (See INSTALL) can be created
readily. A user's guide that is under preparation can show users how to 
develop an application based Alps and how to use existing applications.


INSTALLATION
============

Please see the INSTALL file for a guide to install Alps.


CURRENT TESTING STATUS
======================

1. Configurations
   - Serial: Well tested.
   - LAMMPI: Well tested.
   - MPICH: Well tested.

2. Applications (See INSTALL)
   - Abc: Alps Branch and Cut (A simple generic MILP solver): Well tested.
   - Knap: Knapsack solver: Well tested.


SUPPORT
=======

1. Authors

Source Code:

Yan Xu (yax2@lehigh.edu)
Ted Ralphs (tkralphs@lehigh.edu), Project Manager

Original Conceptual Design:

Yan Xu (yax2@lehigh.edu)
Ted Ralphs (tkralphs@lehigh.edu), Project Manager
Laci Ladanyi (ladanyi@us.ibm.com)
Matt Saltzman (mjs@clemson.edu)

2. List Serve

Alps users should use the Coin-Discuss mailing list. To subscribe, go to 
http://list.coin-or.org/mailman/listinfo/coin-discuss

3. Bug Reports

Bug reports should be posted to the Coin-Discuss mailing list (see above).
