14,546 research outputs found
Finite Domain Bounds Consistency Revisited
A widely adopted approach to solving constraint satisfaction problems
combines systematic tree search with constraint propagation for pruning the
search space. Constraint propagation is performed by propagators implementing a
certain notion of consistency. Bounds consistency is the method of choice for
building propagators for arithmetic constraints and several global constraints
in the finite integer domain. However, there has been some confusion in the
definition of bounds consistency. In this paper we clarify the differences and
similarities among the three commonly used notions of bounds consistency.Comment: 12 page
Constraint-based reachability
Iterative imperative programs can be considered as infinite-state systems
computing over possibly unbounded domains. Studying reachability in these
systems is challenging as it requires to deal with an infinite number of states
with standard backward or forward exploration strategies. An approach that we
call Constraint-based reachability, is proposed to address reachability
problems by exploring program states using a constraint model of the whole
program. The keypoint of the approach is to interpret imperative constructions
such as conditionals, loops, array and memory manipulations with the
fundamental notion of constraint over a computational domain. By combining
constraint filtering and abstraction techniques, Constraint-based reachability
is able to solve reachability problems which are usually outside the scope of
backward or forward exploration strategies. This paper proposes an
interpretation of classical filtering consistencies used in Constraint
Programming as abstract domain computations, and shows how this approach can be
used to produce a constraint solver that efficiently generates solutions for
reachability problems that are unsolvable by other approaches.Comment: In Proceedings Infinity 2012, arXiv:1302.310
Finite domain constraint programming systems
Tutorial at CP'2002, Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming. Powerpoint slides.</p
Propagating Regular Counting Constraints
Constraints over finite sequences of variables are ubiquitous in sequencing
and timetabling. Moreover, the wide variety of such constraints in practical
applications led to general modelling techniques and generic propagation
algorithms, often based on deterministic finite automata (DFA) and their
extensions. We consider counter-DFAs (cDFA), which provide concise models for
regular counting constraints, that is constraints over the number of times a
regular-language pattern occurs in a sequence. We show how to enforce domain
consistency in polynomial time for atmost and atleast regular counting
constraints based on the frequent case of a cDFA with only accepting states and
a single counter that can be incremented by transitions. We also prove that the
satisfaction of exact regular counting constraints is NP-hard and indicate that
an incomplete algorithm for exact regular counting constraints is faster and
provides more pruning than the existing propagator from [3]. Regular counting
constraints are closely related to the CostRegular constraint but contribute
both a natural abstraction and some computational advantages.Comment: Includes a SICStus Prolog source file with the propagato
Review of Summation-by-parts schemes for initial-boundary-value problems
High-order finite difference methods are efficient, easy to program, scales
well in multiple dimensions and can be modified locally for various reasons
(such as shock treatment for example). The main drawback have been the
complicated and sometimes even mysterious stability treatment at boundaries and
interfaces required for a stable scheme. The research on summation-by-parts
operators and weak boundary conditions during the last 20 years have removed
this drawback and now reached a mature state. It is now possible to construct
stable and high order accurate multi-block finite difference schemes in a
systematic building-block-like manner. In this paper we will review this
development, point out the main contributions and speculate about the next
lines of research in this area
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