The thesis surveys the current state of knowledge in the field of both interactive computer graphics and non-linear optimization. The potential contribution of interactive computer graphics in nonlinear optimization is then evaluated from the points of view of model formulation and solution, and the requirements of an interactive system for realizing this potential are outlined. Such a system is developed and described, together with a full account of its applications to both real and standard test problems. A novel application is the direct optimization of N-dimensional (N > 2) problems by visual analysis of 1 and 2 dimensional sub-problems, following on the formal development of an algorithm for this approach. The interactive control of conventional methods through computer graphics is also featured. On the basis of these accounts an evaluation is given of the contribution which interactive computer graphics is capable of making in both teaching and research in the general field of non-linear optimization
