Ordinal Optimization Soft Optimization for Hard Problems

From the reviews:"This book addresses the difficulties of optimization of complex systems via simulation models or computation-intensive models involving possible stochastic effects and discrete choice. The tools described here can be used separately or in addition to other methodological tools of optimization. … The book is recommended for good engineers and designers dealing with complex problems of optimization." (Constantin Varsan, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1123 (1), 2008)“This unique book arose out of the pioneering efforts of Yu-Chi Ho and his colleagues … and his students to address complex problems that arise routinely in engineering design and that, because of their complexity, cannot be solved using standard optimization tools. … This book provides a refreshingly original approach to complex design problems … . It will greatly interest practitioners and researchers concerned with optimization for hard problems.” (D. Q. Mayne, Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Vol. 145, April, 2010)