BAM (Branch-And-Model) is a derivative-free global optimization solver designed for problems where the objective or constraints are not available in algebraic form. It is ideal for simulation-based, experimental, or black-box optimization problems.

Use BAM when:

• You cannot write the problem in a closed-form equation.
• Your model is a simulator or experiment (black-box).
• Function evaluations are expensive.
• You want a global solution to high-dimensional or nonconvex problems.

BAM combines:

• Global optimization techniques (via domain partitioning).
• Surrogate modeling (using ALAMO for accurate local models).
• Guaranteed convergence even for discontinuous or discrete problems.
• BARON to globally solve surrogate models for new sampling points.

BAM runs on:

• Windows
• Linux
• macOS

Installation is easy. Simply download and run the installer or unzip the archive available at BAM Downloads.

BAM can handle:

• Continuous, integer, or categorical variables
• Nonconvex, discontinuous, or noisy functions
• Problems defined by simulators or experiments
• Data-driven optimization using previously collected evaluations

No. BAM is completely derivative-free. It uses function values only. No gradients or Hessians are needed.

Yes. BAM requires a valid license file.

Options include:

• Free academic license
• Commercial license (with support and updates)

See BAM Licenses for details.

BAM offers three license types:

• Commercial License: Includes technical support and software updates.
• Academic License: Free for academic research and educational use.
• DOE License: Free for the U.S. Department of Energy.

See BAM Licenses to view options or contact sales@minlp.com for further information.

From the command line:

bam my_problem.bam

This runs BAM using the input file my_problem.bam.

The data provider is your simulator or executable. BAM calls it to evaluate the objective function. The provider must:

• Read input variables from a file (input.in)
• Write a single output value to a file (output.out)

Yes. BAM can use:

• Unevaluated points (initial guesses)
• Evaluated points (historical data)
  This reduces function calls and helps warm-start the optimization.

Check the terminal or listing file (.lst). BAM provides clear termination codes such as:

• Licensing error
• Input file error
• Simulator not returning valid output
• Function call or time limit reached

See the Error Messages section of the BAM User Manual for full details.

Please contact our technical team at info@minlp.com for support or licensing questions.