Iterative numerical optimizaiton routines?

[Anthony Calabria]

Is anyone aware of iterative numerical optimzaiton routines in Java
and/or Python?  I'm looking for a routine similar to the fmincon in
Matlab, powell in IDL, solver in Excel.  There appears to be an
unconstrained optimization routine in the book "A Numerical Library in
Java for Scientists and Engineers" although I'd prefer a constrained
routine.  Any comments on the book would be helpful too since I'll
probably buy it shortly.

Thanks,
Anthony