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Abstract:
Solving nonlinear constraints over real numbers is a complex problem.
Hence constraint logic programming languages like CLP(R) or Prolog III
solve only linear constraints and delay nonlinear constraints until
they become linear. This efficient implementation method has the
disadvantage that sometimes computed answers are unsatisfiable or
infinite loops occur due to the unsatisfiability of delayed nonlinear
constraints. These problems could be solved by using a more powerful
constraint solver which can deal with nonlinear constraints like in
RISC-CLP(Real). Since such powerful constraint solvers are not very
efficient, we propose a compromise between these two extremes. We
characterize a class of CLP(R) programs for which all delayed nonlinear
constraints become linear at run time. Programs belonging to this
class can be safely executed with the efficient CLP(R) method while the
remaining programs need a more powerful constraint solver.
