Modelling Constraint Solver Architecture Design as a Constraint Problem

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.