Synthesis of efficient constraint-satisfaction programs

Abstract

In this paper we describe the framework we have developed in KIDS (Kestrel Interactive Development System) for generating efficient constraint satisfaction programs. We have used KIDS to synthesise global search scheduling programs that have proved to be dramatically faster than other programs running the same data. We focus on the underlying ideas that lead to this efficiency. The key to the efficiency is the reduction of the size of the search space by an effective representation of sets of possible solutions (solution spaces) that allows efficient constraint propagation and pruning at the level of solution spaces. Moving to a solution space representation involves a problem reformulation. Having found a solution to the reformulated problem, an extraction phase extracts solutions to the original problem. We show how constraints from the original problem can be automatically reformulated and specialised in order to derive efficient propagation code automatically. Our solution methods exploit the semi-lattice structure of our solution spaces.