Generating optimization-based decision support systems

This paper discusses the implementation of optimizaiion based DSSs. A n approach i s proposed that will enable OR/MS analysts t o develop this kind of system much more eoc ient ly than is possible today. The aim i s t o develop systems with modern GUIs, that interact with DBMSs, and that can be built with little programming effort. Many of the tools required for this approach were developed t o support SML, which was chosen to represent the models because it has ample expressive power, completely specified syntax and semantics, total structure/data independence, and lends itself t o the surface/deep structure disiinction, which makes the approach feasible. The approach i s being implemented in a research project funded by the Chilean Government and several firms and i s being tested on problems taken from these firms.