Modelling Constraint Solver Architecture Design as a Constraint Problem

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to automatically design constraint solver architectures by formulating the design process as a constraint problem, enabling automated synthesis tailored to specific problem classes.

Contribution

It presents a novel system that transforms solver component specifications into a constraint problem to automatically generate valid solver architectures.

Findings

Successfully models solver design as a constraint problem

Enables automated synthesis of specialized constraint solvers

Facilitates tailored solver architecture generation

Abstract

Designing component-based constraint solvers is a complex problem. Some components are required, some are optional and there are interdependencies between the components. Because of this, previous approaches to solver design and modification have been ad-hoc and limited. We present a system that transforms a description of the components and the characteristics of the target constraint solver into a constraint problem. Solving this problem yields the description of a valid solver. Our approach represents a significant step towards the automated design and synthesis of constraint solvers that are specialised for individual constraint problem classes or instances.