Global constraints for lexicographic orderings

Alan Frisch, Brahim Hnich, Zeynep Kiziltan, Ian Miguel, Toby Walsh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We propose some global constraints for lexicographic orderings on vectors of variables. These constraints are very useful for breaking a certain kind of symmetry arising in matrices of decision variables.We show that decomposing such constraints carries a penalty either in the amount or the cost of constraint propagation. We therefore present a global consistency algorithm which enforces a lexicographic ordering between two vectors of n variables in O(nb) time, where b is the cost of adjusting the bounds of a variable. The algorithm can be modified very slightly to enforce a strict lexicographic ordering. Our experimental results on a number of domains (balanced incomplete block design, social golfer, and sports tournament scheduling) confirm the efficiency and value of these new global constraints.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPrinciples and practice of constraint programming
Subtitle of host publication8th international conference, CP 2002, Ithaca, NY, USA, September 9-13, 2002, Proceedings
EditorsPascal Hentenryck
Place of PublicationHeidelberg
PublisherSpringer-Verlag
Pages93-108
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9783540461357
ISBN (Print)9783540441205
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2002
Event8th International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming, CP 2002 - Ithaca, United States
Duration: 9 Sept 200213 Sept 2002

Publication series

NameLecture notes in computer science
Volume2470
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming, CP 2002
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityIthaca
Period9/09/0213/09/02

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