1. A system for optimizing and controlling a process comprising: (a) means for obtaining and receiving data, on-line and in real-time, representing the levels of a plurality of independent input variables of said process and the levels of at least one dependent output variable of said process; (b) means for storing said data; (c) means for determining the interrelationships among said plurality of independent input variables and the relationships between said plurality of independent variables and said at least one dependent output variable; (d) means for generating a plot of said level of a selected one of said at least one dependent output variables at incremental levels of a selected one of said plurality of input variables over a pre-selected range of levels of said selected one of said plurality of said independent input variables; (e) means for providing data representing at least one objective for said system relating to said at least one dependent output variable; (f) means for obtaining a calculated level of a selected one of said plurality of independent input variables to meet said objective by determining the maximum or minimum level of said plot; (g) means for moving said selected one of said plurality of independent variables to said calculated level; and (h) means for obtaining a calculated level for each of said plurality of independent variables in turn and for iteratively moving each of said plurality of independent variables to said respective calculated level.