From: utzoo!decvax!decwrl!sun!megatest!fortune!hpda!hplabs!hao!seismo!harpo!eagle!mhtsa!alice!npoiv!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxf!parnass
Newsgroups: net.math
Title: re: Linear Programming Etymology
Article-I.D.: ihuxf.376
Posted: Tue May 10 10:39:37 1983
Received: Tue May 17 01:14:35 1983


       In response to the origin of the	term "linear  programming",
       Cooper and Steinberg give this explanation:

	  o+ "The term 'programming' in	the  name  of  our  subject
	    'linear  programming'  should  be  considered a synonym
	    (even though it is not) for	It is often  confused  with
	    the	 use  of the word 'programming'	for digital comput-
	    ers.  There	is no real connection, however.	 The use of
	    this  word	arose  in the context of the formulation of
	    logistics problems for the U. S. Air Force,	 where	the
	    'programming'  of  activities  is  in  common parlance.
	    Hence, when	we speak of linear programming problems, we
	    mean linear	optimization problems."

       This excerpt is from the	text "Methods and  Applications	 of
       Linear  Programming",  by  Leon	Cooper and David Steinberg,
       1974, published by W. B.	Saunders Company, page 2.

       These authors suggest the following reference for a detailed
       history of the subject:

	   Dantzig, G. B.: "Linear Programming and Extensions. Princeton,
	   N. J., Princeton University Press, 1963.

       Hope this helps.



	       Robert S. Parnass
	       Bell Laboratories
	       Naperville, IL 60566
	       ihnp4!ihuxf!parnass