A general purpose non-linear curve fitting program for the British Broadcasting Corporation Microcomputer

Abstract

Software for non-linear curve fitting has been written in BASIC to execute on the British Broadcasting Corporation Microcomputer. The program uses the direct search algorithm Pattern-search, a robust algorithm that has the additional advantage of needing specification of the function without inclusion of the partial derivatives. Although less efficient than gradient methods, the program can be readily configured to solve low-dimensional optimization problems that are normally encountered in life sciences. In writing the software, emphasis has been placed upon the 'user interface' and making the most efficient use of the facilities provided by the minimal configuration of this system.