ISSN:
1572-9354
Keywords:
feature constraints
;
tree orderings
;
weak subsumption
;
satisfiability
;
entailment
;
complexity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Computer Science
Notes:
Abstract Feature trees are the formal basis for algorithms manipulating record like structures in constraint programming, computational linguistics and in concrete applications like software configuration management. Feature trees model records, and constraints over feature trees yield extensible and modular record descriptions. We introduce the constraint system FT≤ of ordering constraints interpreted over feature trees. Under the view that feature trees represent symbolic information, the relation ≤ corresponds to the information ordering (“carries less information than”). We present two algorithms in cubic time, one for the satisfiability problem and one for the entailment problem of FT≤. We show that FT≤ has the independence property. We are thus able to handle negative conjuncts via entailment and obtain a cubic algorithm that decides the satisfiability of conjunctions of positive and negated ordering constraints over feature trees. Furthermore, we reduce the satisfiability problem of Dörre's weak subsumption constraints to the satisfiability problem of FT≤ and improve the complexity bound for solving weak subsumption constraints from O(n5) to O(n3) .
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009866317252
Permalink
