Optimization -- a many splendored thing -- (Q2722584)

This contribution contains a printed and updated version of the plenary lecture (prepared in PowerPoint) given by the author at the 1999 IFAC Congress. By reviewing the slides and reading the accompanying text, one can get an approximation of the lecture (animation and colour information are lost). Further information is posted on the website www.hrl.harvard.edu/ho. NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe lecture was of informal nature, emphasizing understanding and concepts, rather than dwelling on precision and mathematical exactness. Optimization is introduced in a historic context. Although important concepts and ideas (such as constrained optimization) were developed earlier, it was not until 40 years ago that optimization came into its own due to advent of computers. NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe lecture touched upon a number of concepts, to name a few: simple static optimization, convex and non-convex optimization, dynamic constraints, stochastic optimization, multi-person optimization, combinatorial optimization. etc. In concluding remarks, some predictions of near future developments are given.NEWLINENEWLINEFor the entire collection see [Zbl 0961.00036].