In the world of Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP), the “gap”—the distance between our incumbent solution and the dual bound—remains the gold standard. This mathematical rigor is precisely why we use MIP: it provides a proven certificate of quality that other heuristic methods cannot match. However, while a solution’s proof of optimality is crucial, the path to that solution is equally important.
In early 2024, the last steps in the integration of the McCarl GAMS User Guide with the GAMS documentation will be completed. The McCarl Guide will no longer be pointed to or available from the GAMS docs, although it is available on Bruce McCarl’s web site or the GAMSWORLD forum (see links below). While these last steps may go unnoticed by many GAMS users, the integration process has resulted in a much better documentation that all have benefited from. Reaching this milestone provides us a good opportunity to look back at the history of the McCarl Guide. In this article, we consider the original purpose of the Guide, the positive impact it has had during the many years of its use, and the reasons for its retirement.
Ahmed Alqershi
Atharv Bhosekar
Adam Christensen
Aileen Homey
Alexander Meeraus
André Schnabel
Bruce McCarl
Burak Usul
Christophe Gouel
Clemens Westphal
Evangelos Panos
Fred Fiand
Freddy Proske
George Franco
Hans Lofgren
Justine Broihan
Julien Harou
Janina Hasselbring
Leonard Kunz
Logan Randolph
Lutz Westermann
Mohammed Basheer
Marius Bützler
Michael Bussieck
Mateo Gallia
Michael Horstmann
Muhammet Soytürk
Renke Kuhlmann
Robin Schuchmann
Steve Dirkse
Stefan Mann
Stefan Vigerske