LINGO is a simple tool for utilizing the power of linear and nonlinear optimization to formulate large problems concisely, solve them, and analyze the solution.  Optimization helps you find the answer that yields the best result; attains the highest profit, output, or happiness; or the one that achieves the lowest cost, waste, or discomfort.  Often these problems involve making the most efficient use of your resources-including money, time, machinery, staff, inventory, and more.  Optimization problems are often classified as linear or nonlinear, depending on whether the relationships in the problem are linear with respect to the variables.

If you are a new user, it is recommended you go through the first seven chapters of this document to familiarize yourself with LINGO.  Then you may want to see On Mathematical Modeling for more information on the difference between linear and nonlinear models and how to develop large models.  It may also be helpful to view some sample models in Developing More Advanced Models or Additional Examples of LINGO Modeling to see if a particular template example is similar to a problem you have.  For users of previous versions of LINGO, the new features are summarized in the Preface at the beginning of the manual.