I am indebted to my thesis advisor, Michael Genesereth, for his guidance, inspiration, and support which has made this research possible. As a teacher and a sounding board for new ideas, Mike was extremely helpful in pointing out Haws, and suggesting new directions to explore. I would also like to thank Harold Brown for introducing me to the application of artificial intelligence to reasoning about designs, and his many valuable comments as a reader of this thesis. Significant contribu tions by the other members of my reading committee, Mark Horowitz, and Allen Peterson have greatly improved...

I am indebted to my thesis advisor, Michael Genesereth, for his guidance, inspiration, and support which has made this research possible. As a teacher and a sounding board for new ideas, Mike was extremely helpful in pointing out Haws, and suggesting new directions to explore. I would also like to thank Harold Brown for introducing me to the application of artificial intelligence to reasoning about designs, and his many valuable comments as a reader of this thesis. Significant contribu tions by the other members of my reading committee, Mark Horowitz, and Allen Peterson have greatly improved...