On Generating an Integrated DSS from a Mathematical Model Specification

Executable mathematical modeling languages (EMLs), designed to facilitate model representation and execution, are traditionally weak in data modeling and management, which often consitutes a majority of the effort in a modeling project. In this paper, we describe a systematic approach for developing an integrated decision support system given an EML model. This approach is first demonstrated using a model for flight scheduling, integrating a formal data model, represented in a database management system, and a mathematical model, represented in an EML (GAMS). Next, we present a generalized procedure that, for any mathematical model represented in GAMS, produces a data model and a primitive user interface for the mathematical model. Benefits of this approach include explicit data modeling, improved representation and manipulation of model inputs and outputs, greater integrity of input data, and easier interpretation and multiple views of model outputs.