Abstract
Research in constraint programming typically focuses on problem solving efficiency. However, the way users conceptualise problems and communicate with constraint programming tools is often sidelined. How humans think about constraint problems can be important for the development of efficient tools that are useful to a broader audience. For example, a system incorporating knowledge on how people think about constraint problems can provide explanations to users and improve the communication between the human and the solver.
We present an initial step towards a better understanding of the human side of the constraint solving process. To our knowledge, this is the first human-centred study addressing how people approach constraint modelling and solving. We observed three sets of ten users each (constraint programmers, computer scientists and non-computer scientists) and analysed how they find solutions for well-known constraint problems. We found regularities offering clues about how to design systems that are more intelligible to humans.
We present an initial step towards a better understanding of the human side of the constraint solving process. To our knowledge, this is the first human-centred study addressing how people approach constraint modelling and solving. We observed three sets of ten users each (constraint programmers, computer scientists and non-computer scientists) and analysed how they find solutions for well-known constraint problems. We found regularities offering clues about how to design systems that are more intelligible to humans.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 28th International conference on principles and practice of constraint programming (CP 2022) |
Editors | Christine Solnon |
Place of Publication | Dagstuhl |
Publisher | Schloss Dagstuhl- Leibniz-Zentrum fur Informatik GmbH, Dagstuhl Publishing |
Number of pages | 18 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9783959772402 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 23 Jul 2022 |
Event | 28th International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming (CP 2022) - Haifa, Israel Duration: 31 Jul 2022 → 5 Aug 2022 Conference number: 28 https://cp2022.a4cp.org/ |
Publication series
Name | Leibniz International Proceedings in Informatics (LIPIcs) |
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Volume | 235 |
ISSN (Electronic) | 1868-8969 |
Conference
Conference | 28th International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming (CP 2022) |
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Abbreviated title | CP 2022 |
Country/Territory | Israel |
City | Haifa |
Period | 31/07/22 → 5/08/22 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Constraint modelling
- HCI
- User study
- Grounded theory
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stacs-cp/cp2022-hcicp: Published @ CP2022
Hoffmann, R. (Creator) & Zhu, X. (Creator), Zenodo, 2022
Dataset: Software