Tablix is a powerful free software kernel for solving general timetabling problems. It uses a coarse-grained parallel genetic algorithm in combination with other techniques to construct sensible timetables from XML formatted problem descriptions. Tablix can run on a single host as well as on a heterogeneous parallel virtual machine using PVM3.
Tablix kernel supports a very wide range of timetabling problems, from high school timetabling to barge scheduling. A number of timetable constraints are already implemented in the default installation. Because of kernel's modular design it is easy to add custom timetable constraints and/or modify existing ones. Kernel modules are written in C. Extensive API documentation is available on the internet and in the source distribution.
The use of the Parallel Virtual Machine enables Tablix to use the combined power of any group of computers connected by a network. It can run for example on a cluster of old machines that are no longer used or on workstations in the computer science labs that aren't used during the night. Cluster can be composed of machines of different architectures and/or running different operating systems. Bandwidth requirements are low (a 10 Mbps LAN is sufficient). Tablix will also run on a number of bootable CDs that support clustering. A specialized GNU/Linux bootable CD distribution called Tablix on Morphix is also freely available on the internet.
The default installation will export finished timetables into XHTML 1.1 format ready for publishing on the internet or into a "comma separated values" format (CSV) that is suitable for import into a spreadsheet application and further processing. New export formats can be added by writing custom export modules.
Tablix kernel is developed according to the rule of separation of interfaces and engines. The kernel can be used standalone with a command line interface. Because it uses XML formatted files for input and output files it is very simple to incorporate into other software packages that provide either customized user interfaces or various forms of pre- and post-processing. A separately developed friendly graphics user interface to Tablix kernel called G-Tablix is freely available on the internet. Problem description files can also be edited with general-purpose XML editing software like MlView or KXML Editor.
Tablix is free software and is available under the terms of GNU General Public License.