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A Non-Binary Constraint Ordering Approach to Scheduling Problems

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Abstract

Nowadays many scheduling problems can be modelled as Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs). A search algorithm requires an order in which variables and values should to be considered. Choosing the right order of variables and values can noticeably improve the efficiency of constraint satisfaction.

Furthermore, the order in which constraints are studied can improve efficiency, particularly in problems with non-binary constraints. In this paper, we propose a preprocess heuristic called Constraint Ordering Heuristic (COH) that classifies the constraints so that the tightest ones are studied first. Thus, inconsistencies can be found earlier and the number of constraint checks can significantly be reduced.

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© 2005 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Salido, M.A., Barber, F. (2005). A Non-Binary Constraint Ordering Approach to Scheduling Problems. In: Macintosh, A., Ellis, R., Allen, T. (eds) Applications and Innovations in Intelligent Systems XII. SGAI 2004. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-103-2_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-103-2_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-908-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-103-7

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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