GeneralOptimization

Overview

GeneralOptimization is responsible for creating parameter vector(s) for optimization, setting the parameter initial condition for the optimization, and setting parameter bounds and constraints. Although the Optimize executioner holds a single vector for parameter values, this vector can be split into groups of parameters. This is done by specifying a name for each group with "parameter_names" and the number of parameters in each group with "num_values" or "num_values_name". The total number of parameters is ultimately defined by the sum of "num_values" or the values inside of the reporter defined by "num_values_name". The initial condition for the optimization can then be defined with "initial_condition", where a vector of data must defined for each group. This vector can be a single value in which case all parameters in that group are set to that value or a value can be set for every parameter in that group. The lower and upper bounds for the parameters can then specified by "lower_bounds" and "upper_bounds", respectively. The bounds follow the same input format rules as the initial_condition. If no initial conditions are provided, the parameters are initialized with 0. Default values for upper_bounds and lower_bounds are std::numeric<Real>::max() and std::numeric<Real>::lower(), respectively. These bounds are only applied if a bounded optimization algorithm is used. The reporter that holds the objective value is defined by "objective_name". Additionally, equality and inequality constraints can be defined by "equality_names" and "inequality_names", respectively.