Towards Declarative Debugging for Constraint Programming

Title: Towards Declarative Debugging for Constraint Programming

Research Question: How can we develop a declarative approach to debugging for constraint programming, which is based on the concept of explanation trees?

Methodology: The authors propose a theoretical approach to debugging constraint programs by defining a notion of explanation tree. These trees are defined through inductive definitions that express the removal of values as consequences of other value removals. Explanations can be considered as the essence of constraint programming and provide a declarative view of the computation trace. The diagnosis process involves locating an error in an explanation rooted by a symptom.

Results: The authors present a framework for domain reduction, which is well-suited for defining explanations. They demonstrate how their approach can be applied to various applications, such as dynamic constraint satisfaction problems, over-constrained problems, and dynamic backtracking. They also provide examples of how their formalism has been used to prove the correctness of constraint retraction algorithms.

Implications: The authors' work has significant implications for the field of constraint programming. Their approach provides a declarative method for debugging, which is particularly useful for constraint programming languages. It also offers a new way to understand and analyze the behavior of constraint programs, which can lead to more efficient and effective algorithms. Additionally, their work contributes to the broader field of declarative debugging, which has applications in various programming paradigms.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0309032v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0309032v1