1. What is 1stOpt
1stOpt is a robust, flexible, easiest-to-use global optimization, nonlinear regression, equation solve and parameter estimation
program with the start-of-the-art optimization algorithms. It is designed especially for general users to deal with the complicated jobs
that are hard or impossible to be solved by regular/traditional approaches. Its intuitive, simple and friendly user-interface,
straightforward operations and high efficient performance make it the most powerful tool for science and engineering study.
For more than 20 years research works of 7D-Soft, the core engine based on the innovative research outcomes of the Universal
Global Optimization (UGO) algorithm has been developed. The UGO algorithm, unlike most of others, can solve the optimization
problems without requiring users to give/guess the initial parameter values for carrying out the numerical optimization calculation, but
with the initial value is given by 1stOpt randomly instead of user, then find the optimal solution through UGO algorithm. Take nonlinear
regression as an example, the most famous software packages in this area such as Matlab, OriginPro, SAS, SPSS, DataFit, GraphPad,
etc., all of them need the appropriate initial values of parameters provided or guessed by users for finding the correct optimal solution.
If the initial value of the parameter is set incorrectly, then result is difficult to converge and it is impossible to get the correct answers
finally. In practice, it is quite difficult to provide/guess the appropriate initial values of parameters for most users, especially when the
amount of parameters is large, guess of initial start values would be a nightmare for users. With the superiors global optimization ability
and strong fault tolerance, 1stOpt can achieve the correct result with random initial start value in most of cases (>90%).
2. What can be done with 1stOpt
1stOpt can be applied to almost all fields of scientific research, engineering, finance, decision making, data mining and planning.
Specifically:
1)
Auto-calibration
2)
Parameter estimation
3)
Linear or nonlinear curve fit and regression with no limitations on variable and parameter
4)
Nonlinear simultaneous system equations solving
5)
Ordinary differential equation (ODE) both initial value problems (IVP) and boundary value problems (BVP)
6)
Nonlinear regression of ODE
7)
Function optimization with any dimensions, including implicitly function
8)
Function chart, chart of implicit function
9)
Linear, nonlinear or mixed integer programming
10)
Combination optimization
11)
Advanced calculator
3. Features of 1stOpt
1)
The model uses a natural description language that is easy to understand and short in learning cycle.
2)
Linear, nonlinear, mixed integer programming, quadratic programming, optimal combination.
3)
Powerful: it is the only software packages that can find the optimal solution of nonlinear regression test dataset of
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) using random initial start-values in current world market.
4)
It can be widely used in hydrology, water resources and other engineering optimization problems. As embedded with
Basic, Pascal and Python, it can help describing and dealing with complex optimization model.
5)
Link the objective function of external dynamic link library (dll) or command-line executive file (exe) which are compiled
from any other programming language (such as, C++, FORTRAN, Basic, Pascal ...).
6)
Support secondary development of software based on the core engine of 1stOpt.
7)
Toolbox included: Artificial Neural Network Toolbox, Support Vector Machine (SVM) Toolbox, Clustering Toolbox,
Probability Distribution Toolbox, Projection Pursuit Toolbox, TSP Toolbox, Circle/Ellipse Fitting Toolbox , Data Fitting Formula
Automatic Search and Matching Toolbox;
8)
Unique function for implicit optimization and fitting, intelligent fitting, fitting with constraints;
9)
Nonlinear curve fit can deal with any formation of user-defined equations, any number of parameters and variables,
batch processing of data fitting, weight fitting, fitting with constraints, fitting with missing variables.
10)
Process multiple data files simultaneously when model does auto-calibration.
11)
Easily handle multiple outputs.
12)
Real-time calculation results display.
13)
Read and save different format of files, such as Excel, CSV, etc.
14)
User-friendly interface, easy to use.
15)
Come with more than one hundred examples, covering almost all optimization issues. Users can easily understand the
usage of Auto2Fit through different type of examples.
4. 1stOpt Toolbox
o
QuickFit ToolBox;
o
Neural Network (NeuralPower) ToolBox;
o
Support Vector Machine (SVM) ToolBox;
o
Multi-layer Fitting Network ToolBox;
o
Probabilty Distribution Fitting ToolBox;
o
Clustering ToolBox;
o
Project Pursuit ToolBox;
o
Travel Salesman Problem (TSP) ToolBox;
o
Circle-ellipse fitting ToolBox;
o
Planning Setup ToolBox;
5. An Overview of Similar Software
Matlab, Mathematical, Maple and MathCAD have been recognized as the four major families of mathematical software today, in
addition SAS, SPSS, Lingo/Lindo, etc., in the field of scientific computation, the software abroad is undoubtedly in a dominant position.
Domestically, due to the lack of unique and effective technical theories and methods/algorithms, although there are a few mathematical
software available on the market, compared with the above-mentioned software packages, the functions are far from each other, there
is no competitive advantages in the market.
For optimization numerical computation, the algorithm is undoubtedly the key to decide the software is good or bad, especially the
optimization algorithm is not only an important component of scientific calculation, but also the main support technology for artificial
intelligence (AI). Looking at the scientific optimization computing areas today, 1）In the area of nonlinear curve fit and parameter
optimization, the most commonly used algorithms are Levenberg-Marquardt and Simplex Method, both of them can be attributed to the
local optimal method, as a result, how to effectively determine the initial start-values of the parameter to avoid trapping into the local
optimal is always difficult to overcome, due to this, some practical problems may never get correct solutions; 2）For other optimization
problems, although there are many theoretically proven global optimization algorithms, such as genetic algorithms, simulated
annealing, etc., in practical applications, these algorithms are inefficient and premature, and fall into local optimal solutions easily, in
many cases, those kind of algorithms cannot fulfil requirements. 1stOpt, by virtue of its pioneering and revolutionary algorithm theory, is
superior to any currently known software package in the field of optimization such as nonlinear fitting and parameter estimation. In
addition, 1stOpt also performs well for problems that other software is difficult to solve, such as implicit function optimization problems,
non-linear integer, mixed integer programming, and so on.
6. Test Comparison
Nonlinear Fitting Test: the nonlinear curve fit of 1stOpt is powerful than any other similar software package available today in the
world, such as SPSS, SAS, Matlab, Origin, Systat, DataFit, etc. The greatest feature is that it is no long to need the end-user to provide
or guess the initial start-values for each parameter, but randomly generated by itself, the probability for finding the correct solution is
higher than any others. American National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have a set of test dataset which include 27
nonlinear curve fit questions. Almost all of the data analysis software venders make those test data as their performance criteria.
1stOpt is the only software package that doesn't need the initial values provided by NIST compared with other software package and it
can get all of the optimal solution with any random values (if use the initial values provided by NIST, it is more easier to find the optimal
solution using 1stOpt). In practice, it is very difficult to choose a reasonable initial value group, especially in the case of a large number
of parameters. In this sense, 1stOpt is in a leading place in curve-fitting area in the world.
Other Optimization Problems Test: due to the feature of "not require to provide/guess initial start-values", 1stOpt can get global
optimization solutions more effectively and more higher accuracy than most others.
7. Users
University: Nearly all leading "985" and "211" universities in China such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Zhejiang University,
Shanghai Jiaotong University, Fudan University, Tongji University, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Nanjing University, Southwest Jiaotong University, Jilin University , Wuhan University, China
University of Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Sichuan University, etc., abroad such as
Oxford University in the United Kingdom, Stanford University in the United States, University of California inthe United States, and
University of Calgary in Canada;
Research institutes: Domestically, over hundreds research institutes affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China institute
of atomic energy, China Academy of Engineering Physics, China Earthquake Administration, China Academy of Building Research,
National Institute of Metrology, Sinopec Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Sinopec, Shanghai Micro Satellite Engineering
Center, Tsinghua-Foxconn Nanotechnology Research Center, Sinopec Shanghai Research Institute of Petrochemical Technology,
The second/third Institute of space industry of the National Defense Department, etc., abroad such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory
and Renewable Energy Research Institute of US;
National Key Laboratories: over hundreds of national key laboratories and national technology R&D centers in China;
Enterprise: Shanghai Baosteel Group, Daqing Petroleum Group, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, Japan Sanyo
Corporation, Honeywell, Emerson Corporation, China National Petroleum Corporatio, Sinopec Group, China Power
Engineering Consulting Group, 3M China Ltd., Delta Energy Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Yankuang Energy
Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd., Shanxi Zhongyang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Hong Kong Nano and Advanced
Materials Research and Development Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Research Institute (Group)
Co., Ltd., and Suzhou Nawei Technology Co., Ltd.
8. Fund Support and Publication
Fund support: Nearly 1,000 fund support projects including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National 863
Program, the National 973 Project, the National Major Science and Technology Project, and the National 11th Five-Year Plan
and Twelfth Five-Year Plan for Science and Technology.
Paper Published: Through Literature search form both domestic (www.cnki.net) and aboard like Google Scholar, as of July 31,
2017, over 5000 scientific research papers have adopted 1stOpt as their analysis and calculation math tools. Publications
include numerous domestic core journals and oversea SCI, EI and IEEE.
9. System Requirments
•
OS：Win98/WinMe/Win2000/WinXP/WinVista/Win7/Win10
•
Hard Disk：150M
•
Memory：2G
7D-Soft High Technology Inc.
1stOpt - First Optimization
7D Software
1stOpt - First Optimization
