OR-Tools is a software suite for combinatorial optimization, constraint programming, and mathematical modeling. It provides a framework for defining complex problems involving variables and logical constraints, enabling the systematic search for feasible or optimal solutions.
The project features a high-performance core engine written in C++ that utilizes branch and bound search and local search metaheuristics to navigate large solution spaces. A language-agnostic wrapper layer allows these optimization capabilities to be accessed through idiomatic interfaces in multiple high-level programming languages.
The library supports a broad range of practical applications, including resource scheduling, supply chain network design, and vehicle routing logistics. It includes a unified mathematical programming abstraction that connects custom problem definitions to a variety of internal and external solver engines.