ILOG CPLEX 11.0 User's Manual > Languages and APIs > ILOG Concert Technology for C++ Users > Solving the Model > Choosing an Optimizer

Solving the extracted model with ILOG CPLEX involves solving one or a series of continuous relaxations:

The optimizer option used for solving the first continuous relaxation (whether it is the only one or just the first in a series of problems) is controlled by setting the root algorithm parameter:

cplex.setParam(IloCplex::RootAlg, alg);

where alg is a member of the nested enumeration IloCplex::Algorithm.

As a nested enumeration, the fully qualified names that must be used in the program are IloCplex::Primal, IloCplex::Dual, and so on. Table 1.2 displays the meaning of the optimizer options defined by IloCplex::Algorithm.

The choice Sifting is not available for QP models. Only the Barrier option is available for QCP models. Table 1.3 summarizes these options.

Table 1.2 Optimizer Options in IloCplex::Algorithm
IloCplex::AutoAlg 
let CPLEX decide which algorithm to use 
use the primal simplex algorithm 
use the dual simplex algorithm 
use the primal network simplex algorithm on an embedded network followed by the dual simplex algorithm for LPs and the primal simplex algorithm for QPs on the entire problem 
use the barrier algorithm. The type of crossover performed after the barrier algorithm is set by the parameter IloCplex::BarCrossAlg
use the sifting algorithm 
use multiple algorithms concurrently on a multiprocessor system 

Table 1.3 Algorithm Available at Root by Problem Type
Value 
Algorithm Type 
LP? 
MILP? 
QP? 
MIQP? 
QCP? 
MIQCP? 
0 
IloCplex::AutoAlg 
yes 
yes 
yes 
1 
IloCplex::Primal 
yes 
yes 
not available 
2 
IloCplex::Dual 
yes 
yes 
not available 
3 
IloCplex::Network 
yes 
yes 
not available 
4 
IloCplex::Barrier 
yes 
yes 
yes 
IloCplex::Sifting 
yes 
not available 
not available 
IloCplex::Concurrent 
yes 
yes 
not available 

If the extracted model requires the solution of more than one continuous relaxation, the algorithm for solving the first one at the root is controlled by the RootAlg parameter. The algorithm at all other nodes except the root is controlled by the NodeAlg parameter:

cplex.setParam(IloCplex::NodeAlg, alg).

Table 1.4 summarizes the options available at nodes.

Table 1.4 Algorithm Types for NodeAlg
Value 
Algorithm Type 
MILP? 
MIQP? 
MIQCP? 
0 
IloCplex::Auto 
yes 
yes 
yes 
1 
IloCplex::Primal 
yes 
yes 
not available 
2 
IloCplex::Dual 
yes 
yes 
not available 
3 
IloCplex::Network 
yes 
not available  
not available 
4 
IloCplex::Barrier 
yes 
yes 
yes 
IloCplex::Sifting 
yes 
not available 
not available