Constraint Programming

Constraint programming (CP) is a paradigm for solving combinatorial problems that draws on a wide range of techniques from artificial intelligence, computer science, and operations research. It is a form of declarative programming that uses mathematical constraints to define the rules that must be met.

Constraint Programming

Areas of application

  • Logistics and supply chain management
  • Production scheduling and planning
  • Telecommunications network optimization
  • Financial planning, modeling and decision-making
  • Staff rostering and workforce management
  • Software engineering and verification
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Transportation and routing optimization

Example

For example, consider a travel booking website that allows users to select flights, hotels, and rental cars. The website could use constraint programming to automatically check for feasible combinations of these options that meet the user’s preferences, such as budget, location, and travel dates.