Before you begin using ILOG CPLEX, it is a good idea to begin by reading Getting Started with ILOG CPLEX and to try the tutorials in it. It is available in the standard distribution of the product.

In order to use ILOG CPLEX effectively, you need to be familiar with your operating system, whether UNIX or Windows. A list of the machine-types and library formats (including version numbers of compilers and JDKs) is available in the standard distribution of your product in the file yourCPLEXinstallation/mptable.html.

This manual also assumes you already know how to create and manage files. In addition, if you are building an application that uses the Component Libraries, this manual assumes that you know how to compile, link, and execute programs written in a high-level language. The Callable Library is written in the C programming language, while Concert Technology is written in C++, Java, and C#.NET. This manual also assumes that you already know how to program in the appropriate language and that you will consult a programming guide when you have questions in that area.