Constraint Propagation in Presence of Arrays

Abstract

We describe the use of array expressions as constraints, which represents a consequent generalisation of the "element" constraint. Constraint propagation for array constraints is studied theoretically, and for a set of domain reduction rules the local consistency they enforce, arc-consistency, is proved. An efficient algorithm is described that encapsulates the rule set and so inherits the capability to enforce arc-consistency from the rules.

10 pages. Accepted at the 6th Annual Workshop of the ERCIM Working Group on Constraints, 2001