Set i /1*5/;
Parameter p(i);
p(i) = ord(i);
Display p;
Ask the right questions to secure the right GAMS talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.
The General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) is a high-level modeling system for mathematical optimization. Developed in 1976 by Alexander Meeraus, it is designed for modeling and solving linear, nonlinear, and mixed-integer optimization problems. GAMS provides a stable and intuitive environment for complex applications, offering a tailored syntax and structure for specifying optimization models. It is widely used in economic modeling, energy planning, and other scientific fields that require advanced mathematical computation. The information about GAMS can be found on its official website and various scholarly articles on computer programming languages.
The next 20 minutes of the interview should attempt to focus more specifically on the development questions used, and the level of depth and skill the engineer possesses.
GAMS supports several data types, including scalars, parameters, variables, equations, sets, and model types.
In GAMS, a set is declared using the 'set' keyword followed by the set name and an explanatory text. For instance, 'set i 'index set'' would declare a set named 'i'.
In GAMS, a scalar is a single number, while a parameter is a multidimensional array of numbers. Both can be used to represent constant values in a model, but parameters are more flexible as they can represent different values depending on their indices.
GAMS offers a flexible and intuitive syntax, supports a wide range of solver engines, provides tools for model analysis and debugging, and allows for easy integration with other software and databases.
GAMS, or General Algebraic Modeling System, is a high-level modeling system for mathematical programming and optimization. It is designed for modeling and solving linear, nonlinear, and mixed-integer optimization problems.
A good understanding of mathematical modeling is important for developing efficient and accurate GAMS models.
The field of software development is constantly evolving, so it's important for a developer to be able to quickly adapt to new technologies.
Experience with optimization models is important as it is a common task in GAMS development.
Good communication skills are necessary for understanding project requirements, collaborating with team members, and explaining complex technical concepts.
Problem-solving skills are essential for a developer to troubleshoot and fix any issues that may arise during the development process.
This is crucial as the job role requires the candidate to develop and maintain GAMS-based applications.
The next 20 minutes of the interview should attempt to focus more specifically on the development questions used, and the level of depth and skill the engineer possesses.
To solve a model in GAMS, you would first need to define the model using the 'model' keyword, and then use the 'solve' statement, specifying the model name, the type of model (LP, NLP, MIP, etc.), and the variable to be optimized.
In GAMS, a free variable can take any real value, including negative values, zero, or positive values, while a positive variable can only take non-negative values.
GAMS supports several types of variables, including free variables, positive variables, binary variables, integer variables, and non-negative variables.
In GAMS, an equation is defined using the 'equation' keyword followed by the equation name and an explanatory text. The actual mathematical expression of the equation is defined separately, using the equation name, the domain over which the equation is defined, and the mathematical expression itself.
In GAMS, a variable represents an unknown value that the model tries to determine, while an equation represents a mathematical relationship between variables and parameters. Variables can be decision variables or objective function variables, and equations usually represent constraints in the model.
A skilled GAMS engineer should demonstrate proficiency in mathematical modeling, problem-solving skills, and extensive knowledge of GAMS language. Red flags would include lack of experience with optimization problems, difficulty in code debugging or an inability to articulate complex concepts clearly.
Set i /1*5/;
Parameter p(i);
p(i) = ord(i);
Display p;
Set i /1*3/;
Parameter p(i);
p('1') = 5;
p('2') = 10;
p('3') = 15;
Display p.sum(i, p(i));
Set i /1*5/;
Parameter p(i);
loop(i, p(i) = sqr(ord(i)););
Display p;
Set i /1*3/;
Parameter p(i);
p('1') = 5;
p('2') = 10;
p('3') = 15;
option threads = 2;
Display p.sum(i, p(i));
Set i /1*3/;
Class c(i) /'1':'A', '2':'B', '3':'C'/;
Parameter p(i);
p(c) = ord(c);
Display p;
Set i /1*3/;
Parameter p(i);
p('1') = 5;
p('2') = 10;
p('3') = 15;
Parameter q(i);
q(i) = p(i) * 2;
Display q.sum(i, q(i));
The final few interview questions for a GAMS candidate should typically focus on a combination of technical skills, personal goals, growth potential, team dynamics, and company culture.
Optimizing the performance of a large-scale GAMS model can involve several strategies, including using efficient data structures, exploiting sparsity, choosing the appropriate solver, tuning solver parameters, and parallelizing the computation where possible.
Results from a GAMS model can be output in several ways, including directly to the console, to text files, to databases, to spreadsheets, or to GDX files for further processing in GAMS or other software.
Errors in GAMS can be handled by carefully reading and interpreting the error messages provided by the GAMS compiler and runtime system, and by using the debugging and model inspection tools provided by GAMS.
In GAMS, a loop is used to repeatedly execute a block of code, while a conditional statement is used to execute a block of code only if a certain condition is met. Both can be used to control the flow of execution in a GAMS program.
Data can be input into a GAMS model in several ways, including directly in the model file, from external files, from databases, or from spreadsheets.
Back-end App Developer
Front-end Web Developer
Full Stack Developer (Java)
Full Stack Developer (.Net)
Full Stack Developer (MEAN)
Full Stack Developer (MERN)
DevOps Engineer
Database Engineer (AzureSQL)
Database Engineer (Oracle)
Database Engineer (General)
Solution Architect (.NET)
Solution Architect (Java)
Solution Architect (Ruby)
Solution Architect (Python)
AI Engineer (Python)
Sr. AI Engineer (Python)
AI Strategist (Python)
Business Intelligence Engineer
Systems Analyst
Mainframe Developer (COBOL)
Mainframe Developer (General)