Constraint programming with CP Optimizer
Solving constraint programming problems with CP Optimizer
can be broken into three steps: describing the problem, modeling the
problem and finding solutions to the model of the problem. A basic
constraint programming problem model consists of decision variables
and constraints on those variables. Finding a solution to a model
involves constraint propagation and search.
Overview
The first tutorial in the Getting Started with CP Optimizer manual explains the basics of describing, modeling and solving constraint programming problems.
The three-stage method
The three-stage method of constraint programming using CP Optimizer involves describing, modeling and solving.
Describe the problem
The first stage in solving a constraint programming problem with CP Optimizer is to describe the problem using natural language.
Model the problem
The second stage in solving a constraint programming problem with CP Optimizer is to model the problem. The model is composed of decision variables and constraints. The model may also contain an objective .
Solve the problem
The third stage in solving a constraint programming problem with CP Optimizer is to search for a solution and solve the problem.
Testing your installation with a simple application
Before proceeding with the other tutorials in the Getting Started with CP Optimizer manual, you should test your environment by compiling and running a simple application. The log produced by the application provides useful information about the model and the solution search.
Scheduling in CP Optimizer
CP Optimizer offers classes and functions specially adapted to modeling and solving problems in scheduling.
Building blocks of scheduling models
The basic scheduling building blocks available in CP Optimizer include interval variables and specialized constraints.
Search space for scheduling models
The search space for scheduling models is usually independent from the size of the domain
Testing your installation with a scheduling problem
Before proceeding with the other tutorials in the Getting Started with CP Optimizer manual, you should test your environment by compiling and running a simple application. The log produced by the application provides useful information about the model and the solution search.
Review exercises
Complete these exercises to review what you have learned in the tutorial. Suggested answers are provided.