updated readme

README.md

@@ -1,4 +1,25 @@
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-# Kona
+# Kona
+
+Kona is an optimization library that implements a set of algorithms for 
+PDE-constrained optimization.
+
+An important aspect of its implementation is that it makes no assumptions 
+regarding the dimension, type or parallelization of the control, state or 
+constraint vectors. The user must implement these vectors and, throuh reverse 
+communication, Kona asks the user to perform various operations on these 
+vectors. This model allows Kona to be used in a variety of parallel 
+environments, because it remains agnostic to how the user defines and stores 
+these vectors.
+
+Additionally, Kona separates optimization algorithms from the underlying PDE 
+solver such that any new optimization algorithm can be implemented in Kona 
+using Kona's own abstracted vector classes. This allows for rapid development 
+and testing of new algorithms independently from the PDE solver, and 
+guarantees that any solver that has already been integrated with Kona will 
+work correctly underneath any new algorithm that may be added in the future.
+
+An older version of Kona written in C++ can be found 
+[here](https://bitbucket.org/odl/kona)