Specification and generation of constraint-satisfaction systems
Thesis/Dissertation
·
OSTI ID:7169558
Constraint languages are declarative languages that have been used in various applications such as simulation, modeling, and graphics. Unfortunately, despite their benefits, existing constraint languages tend to be application-specific, have limited extensibility, and are difficult to implement. This dissertation presents a general-purpose computer language that makes it much easier to describe and implement constraint-satisfaction systems. This language, called Bertrand, supports a rule-based programming methodology and also includes a form of abstract data type. It is implemented using a new inference mechanism called augmented-term rewriting, which is an extension of standard term rewriting.Using rules, a Bertrand programmer can describe new constraint-satisfaction mechanisms, including equation solvers. Rules can also be used to define new types of objects and new constraints on these objects. Augmented-term rewriting uses these rules to find a model that satisfies a set of user-specified constraints. The author surveys existing constraint-satisfaction techniques and languages, and shows how they can be implemented in Bertrand. He also gives a precise operational semantics for augmented-term rewriting.
- Research Organization:
- North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7169558
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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