Hit-and-run algorithms for the identification of nonredundant linear inequalities

Two probabilistic hit-and-run algorithms are presented to detect nonredundant constraints in a full dimensional system of linear inequalities. The algorithms proceed by generating a random sequence of interior points whose limiting distribution is uniform, and by searching for a nonredundant constraint in the direction of a random vector from each point in the sequence. In the hypersphere directions algorithm the direction vector is drawn from a uniform distribution on a hypersphere. In the computationally superior coordinate directions algorithm a search is carried out along one of the coordinate vectors. The algorithms are terminated through the use of a Bayesian stopping rule. Computational experience with the algorithms and the stopping rule will be reported.