New solver

[B-head]

For now, release it with only minimal UI changes.

Features:

• Support production loops.
• Support for bottom-up design.
• Support machine limit.
• Respects the list in order and sub-floor structure like the traditional solver.
• No need to specify free items.
• (Calculations are slow.)

Not yet implemented:

• Production percentage.
  • Plan to implement instead an limits will be supported for items.
• Product prioritize.
  • Plan to implement instead an external product and external ingredient as virtual recipe.
  • It is also improvement of the free items feature.
• From the reference item, add a recipe that consumes it.
• Predicting the amount of machines needed when switching machines.

Changes:

• The solver is now specified using the drop-down menu.
• The default solver for new subfactories is now the interior point solver.
  • Solvers for existing subfactories will not be changed.
• Add name and timescale to subfactory_data.
• Hide the percentage column when using matrix solver.
• Add and change locale strings.
• In recipe_line, the item button is displayed even if the amount is zero.

Additional note:

• The solver has been modified to specify a reference instead of a production goal.
• Reference is the minimum amount of items to use in a sub-factory.
  It is used to specify the items you want to produce or consume.

[raiguard]

I will try this in my SE playthrough and let you know if I find anything.

[raiguard]

Well it almost immediately crashes when I load it in my SE save. I tried removing it then re-enabling it but that doesn't help.

It must be crashing in on_configuration_changed somewhere, because it doesn't do this on a new game. I'm stupid, it says the event right there in the stack trace!

The Final Frontier.zip

factorio-current.log

[B-head]

Fixed. (The bug was related to the solver.)
@raiguard Please try again.

[ClaudeMetz]

Hello, thanks a lot for this. I haven't had time to look at it yet, and since it is so big, I don't know when I will have time. I want to focus on some other things first. So just FYI, can't make any promises related to this atm.

[raiguard]

@B-head Completely forgot to respond, but that did fix my issue. I haven't had much opportunity to play Factorio recently (been spending my time making mods instead) but when I pick up my SE playthrough again I'll continue testing :)

[qdbp]

As far as I'm concerned, an LP solver is basically the raison d'etre of a factory planner for a pack like, e.g., Seablock. I would absolutely love to see this solver merged.

[ClaudeMetz]

Yeah I agree it makes sense to have one, and I'm sorry I haven't really gotten to any of the proposals so far. I plan on working on the solver side of things at some point.