58,698 research outputs found
Hybrid Tractable Classes of Binary Quantified Constraint Satisfaction Problems
In this paper, we investigate the hybrid tractability of binary Quantified
Constraint Satisfaction Problems (QCSPs). First, a basic tractable class of
binary QCSPs is identified by using the broken-triangle property. In this
class, the variable ordering for the broken-triangle property must be same as
that in the prefix of the QCSP. Second, we break this restriction to allow that
existentially quantified variables can be shifted within or out of their
blocks, and thus identify some novel tractable classes by introducing the
broken-angle property. Finally, we identify a more generalized tractable class,
i.e., the min-of-max extendable class for QCSPs
Coordination via Interaction Constraints I: Local Logic
Wegner describes coordination as constrained interaction. We take this
approach literally and define a coordination model based on interaction
constraints and partial, iterative and interactive constraint satisfaction. Our
model captures behaviour described in terms of synchronisation and data flow
constraints, plus various modes of interaction with the outside world provided
by external constraint symbols, on-the-fly constraint generation, and
coordination variables. Underlying our approach is an engine performing
(partial) constraint satisfaction of the sets of constraints. Our model extends
previous work on three counts: firstly, a more advanced notion of external
interaction is offered; secondly, our approach enables local satisfaction of
constraints with appropriate partial solutions, avoiding global synchronisation
over the entire constraints set; and, as a consequence, constraint satisfaction
can finally occur concurrently, and multiple parts of a set of constraints can
be solved and interact with the outside world in an asynchronous manner, unless
synchronisation is required by the constraints. This paper describes the
underlying logic, which enables a notion of local solution, and relates this
logic to the more global approach of our previous work based on classical
logic
Computing hypergraph width measures exactly
Hypergraph width measures are a class of hypergraph invariants important in
studying the complexity of constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs). We present
a general exact exponential algorithm for a large variety of these measures. A
connection between these and tree decompositions is established. This enables
us to almost seamlessly adapt the combinatorial and algorithmic results known
for tree decompositions of graphs to the case of hypergraphs and obtain fast
exact algorithms.
As a consequence, we provide algorithms which, given a hypergraph H on n
vertices and m hyperedges, compute the generalized hypertree-width of H in time
O*(2^n) and compute the fractional hypertree-width of H in time
O(m*1.734601^n).Comment: 12 pages, 1 figur
Existentially Restricted Quantified Constraint Satisfaction
The quantified constraint satisfaction problem (QCSP) is a powerful framework
for modelling computational problems. The general intractability of the QCSP
has motivated the pursuit of restricted cases that avoid its maximal
complexity. In this paper, we introduce and study a new model for investigating
QCSP complexity in which the types of constraints given by the existentially
quantified variables, is restricted. Our primary technical contribution is the
development and application of a general technology for proving positive
results on parameterizations of the model, of inclusion in the complexity class
coNP
Dealing with Fuzzy Information in Software Design Methods
Software design methods incorporate a large set of heuristic rules that should result in stable software architecture of high quality. In general, clearly defined inputs are required to deliver the desired results. Unfortunately, especially in the early phases of software development, it is very difficult or even impossible to provide precisely defined information. Since methods cannot deal with imprecision, the designers need to make approximations which are generally not justifiable. In this paper, we will advocate an approach where the inputs for software design methods are modeled by using fuzzy sets. This approach renders the need for introduction of extra information for removal of inexactness obsolete
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