Linear and Integer Program Expression (MPS) File Format

The Linear and Integer Program Expression file format is a text file format, encoded as ASCII, which uses fixed columns. The format was developed by International Business Machines Corporation to express linear and integer programs.

Name: Linear and Integer Program Expression (MPS)
Extensions: none / .mps
Compatible Programs: Various linear programming applications
Import / Export: Import only
Limitations

Plugin

Supported by the 'Linear and integer expression (MPS) format module' plug-in.

Format Details

The Argonne National Laboratory of the United States has a simple introduction to the MPS format on their web site.

The MIPLIB site has more information including a file named mps_format which is a brief introduction to the format and includes the following section:

The following template is a guide for the use of MPS format:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Field:    1           2          3         4         5         6
Columns:  2-3        5-12      15-22     25-36     40-47     50-61

          NAME   problem name

          ROWS

           type     name

          COLUMNS
                   column       row       value     row      value
                    name        name                name
          RHS
                    rhs         row       value     row      value
                    name        name                name
          RANGES
                    range       row       value     row      value
                    name        name                name
          BOUNDS

           type     bound       column     value
                    name        name
          ENDATA
---------------------------------------------------------------------
and provides further explanations to the components. The file also suggests as more complete references:
  "Advanced Linear Programming," by Bruce A. Murtagh
  "Computer Solutions of Linear Programs," by J.L. Nazareth
which should provide a better explanation.