ALPS Version 1.0 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 2001-2007 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. Its
methodology generalizes many of the notions of an LP-based branch-and-bound
algorithm, allowing the implementation of a wide 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
the Cops (COIN Open Parallel Search Framework) library hierarchy that will
includes a library for solving mixed integer linear programs (Blis).

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

https://projects.coin-or.org/Cops

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

The html documentation of the classes in ALPS (See INSTALL) can be created
readily using the doygne automatic documentation system. A user's guide is
under preparation that will discuss how to use ALPS and how to develop an
application based on Alps. Sorry, it is still "coming soon" :). See the
existing applications for an idea of how it is done.

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/cops

3. Bug Reports

Bug reports should be reported on the Cops development web site at

https://projects.coin-or.org/Cops/newticket
