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A constraint-based local search backend for MiniZinc

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Abstract

MiniZinc is a modelling language for combinatorial problems, which can then be solved by a solver provided in a backend. There are many backends, based on technologies such as constraint programming, integer programming, or Boolean satisfiability solving. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently no constraint-based local search (CBLS) backend. We discuss the challenges to develop such a backend and give an overview of the design of a CBLS backend for MiniZinc. Experimental results show that for some MiniZinc models, our CBLS backend, based on the OscaR/CBLS solver, is able to give good-quality results in competitive time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, 751 05, Uppsala, Sweden

    Gustav Björdal, Jean-Noël Monette, Pierre Flener & Justin Pearson

Authors
  1. Gustav Björdal
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  2. Jean-Noël Monette
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  3. Pierre Flener
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  4. Justin Pearson
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Correspondence to Jean-Noël Monette.

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Björdal, G., Monette, JN., Flener, P. et al. A constraint-based local search backend for MiniZinc. Constraints 20, 325–345 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10601-015-9184-z

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