Linear optimization or linear programming is the name given to computing the best solution to a problem modeled as a set of linear relationships. These problems arise in many scientific and engineering disciplines. (The word "programming" is a bit of a misnomer, similar to how "computer" once meant "a person who computes." Here, "programming" refers to the arrangement of a plan, rather than programming in a computer language.)
Google provides three ways to solve linear optimization problems: the Linear Optimization add-on for Google Sheets, the Linear Optimization Service in Google Apps Script, and the open-source library Glop.
The Linear Optimization add-on for Google Sheets lets users solve linear-optimization problems by entering variables and constraints in a spreadsheet. Under the hood, it uses Apps Script's Linear Optimization Service.
The Linear Optimization Service in Google Apps Script lets developers make function calls to solve linear optimization problems. It relies on Glop for pure linear-optimization problems where all variables can take on real values. If any variables are constrained to integers, the service uses SCIP, from Zuse-Institut Berlin.
Glop is Google's in-house linear solver, available as open source.
