An inexact bundle variant suited to column generation

International audienceWe give a bundle method for constrained convex optimization. Instead of using penalty functions, it shifts iterates towards feasibility, by way of a Slater point, assumed to be known. Besides, the method accepts an oracle delivering function and subgradient values with unknown accuracy. Our approach is motivated by a number of applications in column generation, in which constraints are positively homogeneous--so that zero is a natural Slater point--and an exact oracle may be time consuming. Finally, our convergence analysis employs arguments which have been little used so far in the bundle community. The method is illustrated on a number of cutting-stock problems