STOCHASTIC OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS UNDER INCOMPLETE INFORMATION ON DISTRIBUTION-FUNCTIONS

In this study we discuss a class of stochastic optimization problems f or the cases where parameter of optimization is a probability distribu tion. The knowledge about this distribution is reduced to fixed values of some of its moments, or quantiles. Examples fr om reliability main tenance, inventory, and queueing theory illustrate the specific nature of the problems that goes beyond the known frames of the general theo ry. The article is in the form of a survey of papers relevant to the s tated scope, related mainly to some authors and less known results. re lationships with general theory, and discission on prospective other c onsiderations are also given.