Understanding and improving the MAC algorithm

  • Daniel Sabin
  • , Eugene C. Freuder

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingsConference proceedingpeer-review

Abstract

Constraint satisfaction problems have wide application in artificial intelligence. They involve finding values for problem variables where the values must be consistent in that they satisfy restrictions on which combinations of values are allowed. Recent research on finite domain constraint satisfaction problems suggest that Maintaining Arc Consistency (MAC) is the most efficient general CSP algorithm for solving large and hard problems. In the first part of this paper we explain why maintaining full, as opposed to limited, arc consistency during search can greatly reduce the search effort. Based on this explanation, in the second part of the paper we show how to modify MAC in order to make it even more efficient. Experimental results prove that the gain in efficiency can be quite important.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPrinciples and Practice of Constraint Programming - CP 1997 - 3rd International Conference, CP 1997, Proceedings
EditorsGert Smolka
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages167-181
Number of pages15
ISBN (Print)3540637532, 9783540637530
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes
Event3rd International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming, CP 1997 - Linz, Austria
Duration: 29 Oct 19971 Nov 1997

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume1330
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference3rd International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming, CP 1997
Country/TerritoryAustria
CityLinz
Period29/10/971/11/97

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