/**
  * Parses a given list of options.
  *
  * @param options the list of options as an array of strings
  * @exception Exception if an option is not supported
  */
 public void setOptions(String[] options) throws Exception {
   String optionString = Utils.getOption('A', options);
   if (optionString.length() != 0) setAlphaStar(Double.parseDouble(optionString));
   optionString = Utils.getOption('S', options);
   if (optionString.length() != 0) setSigma(Double.parseDouble(optionString));
   optionString = Utils.getOption('R', options);
   if (optionString.length() != 0) setR(Double.parseDouble(optionString));
   setUseSparseMatrix(Utils.getFlag('M', options));
 }