Is linear programming my only option?

[valeriehflow]

If I want to compare two cost structures and try to figure out the amount of products to produce. which technique would be the best? I was thinking about linear programming. but I would like to know what else can I apply.

[ewilliams]

You may need a conceptual variant: non-linear programming if you have non-linear interactions (e.g., between the products -- do sales of one affect sales of the other), non-linear constraints, and/or a non-linear objective function.