AMPL vs. Ada vs. BASIC vs. Python Comparison Chart

AMPL is a powerful and intuitive modeling language designed to represent and solve complex optimization problems. It enables users to formulate mathematical models in a syntax that closely mirrors algebraic notation, facilitating a clear and concise representation of variables, objectives, and constraints. AMPL supports a wide range of problem types, including linear programming, nonlinear programming, mixed-integer programming, and more. One of its key strengths is the ability to separate models and data, allowing for flexibility and scalability in handling large-scale problems. The platform offers seamless integration with numerous solvers, both commercial and open-source, providing users with the flexibility to choose the most appropriate solver for their specific needs. AMPL is available across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, and offers various licensing options.

BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages designed for ease of use. Initially, BASIC concentrated on supporting straightforward mathematical work, with matrix arithmetic support from its initial implementation as a batch language, and character string functionality being added by 1965. The emergence of BASIC took place as part of a wider movement towards time-sharing systems. Some dialects of BASIC supported matrices and matrix operations, which can be used to solve sets of simultaneous linear algebraic equations. These dialects would directly support matrix operations such as assignment, addition, multiplication (of compatible matrix types), and evaluation of a determinant. BASIC declined in popularity in the 1990s, as more powerful microcomputers came to market and programming languages with advanced features (such as Pascal and C) became tenable on such computers.