Understanding

Constraint Satisfaction
Problems
A Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) involves finding a solution that
satisfies a set of constraints arising in various fields such as artificial
intelligence, operations research, and database systems.
Key Components of CSP
1 Variables 2 Domains
Represent the unknowns to be Define the possible values that
assigned values within a specific variables in a CSP can take.
domain.

3 Constraints
Restrict the combinations of values the variables can take.
 Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSP) representation:

•The finite set of variables V1, V2, V3 ……………..Vn.

•Non-empty domain for every single variable D1, D2, D3 …………..Dn.
•The finite set of constraints C1, C2 …….…, Cm.
• where each constraint Ci restricts the possible values for variables,
• e.g., V1 ≠ V2
• Each constraint Ci is a pair <scope, relation>
• Example: <(V1, V2), V1 not equal to V2>
• Scope = set of variables that participate in constraint.
• Relation = list of valid variable value combinations.
• There might be a clear list of permitted combinations. Perhaps a relation that is
abstract and that allows for membership testing and listing.
Types of Constraints in CSP
Unary Constraints Binary Constraints Global Constraints

Involve a single variable and Apply restrictions between Span multiple variables and
define constraints on its pairs of variables. define complex relationships.
value.
Solving CSP
1 Backtracking 2 Constraint 3 Local Search
Propagation
A systematic approach Iteratively explores the
to consider solutions Infers new restrictions space of potential
and backtrack when a and reduces the search solutions to find an
constraint is violated. space by propagating optimal assignment.
constraints.
Applications of CSP
Resource Scheduling
Optimizing allocation and utilization of
resources in project management.
Map Coloring
Assigning colors to different regions on a
map without adjacent regions sharing the
same color.

Cryptarithmetic Puzzles
Solving mathematical equations with letters representing digits.
Challenges in CSP
1 Complexity 2 Optimality
CSPs can become computationally Finding the most optimal solution
infeasible for large problem instances. among a large number of possibilities.

3 Constraint Representation
Expressing real-world problems in the form of constraints might be challenging.
Extensions of CSP

Constraint Soft Constraints Distributed

Satisfaction with
Uncertainty
Handling CSPs in the presence
of incomplete or uncertain
information.
Constraint
Dealing with preferences and
Satisfaction
trade-offs in addition to hard
constraints. Addressing CSPs distributed
across multiple agents or
processes.
 Backtracking-Search for CSPs
The term backtracking search is used for a depth-first search that chooses values for one variable at a time and
backtracks when a variable has no legal values left to assign.

– Expansion of assignment, no copying

– No initial state, successor function, goal test