This code solves a simple optimization problem, and intended to be an learning exercise.

HOW TO RUN THE CODE

The code "q1.py" calculates an objective function and outputs the results with the lowest values.

In "test_q1.py", the unit test routines are provided.

These codes have a few dependencies that are required: numpy, argparse, multiprocessing, and unittest

Running the code via "pipenv" tool

First, make sure "pipenv" is installed in your system. On Ubuntu linux, this can be done via:

  $ pip install --user pipenv

Once, pipenv is installed, one can start the virtual environment shell, and run the code by doing the followings in the project folder.

  $ pipenv shell
  $ ./q1.py input.txt

Make sure the above mentioned dependencies are installed in your system. On Ubuntu Linux, one would do:

  $ sudo apt install python-numpy

Afterwards, code is run via:

  $ ./q1.py input.txt

To see the help page, do:

  $ ./q1.py -h

The script requires an input file. Optionally output file name can be indicated:

  $ ./q1.py --output somefile.txt input.txt

In order to run the parallel version of the calculation, use the '-p' or '--parallel' flag:

  $ ./q1.py -p input.txt

Unit tests can be run via:

  $ ./test_q1.py