"Constraint Resolution Theories" introduces a pure logic perspective of the finite Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP), with emphasis on finding the "simplest" solution. Based on constructive logic, the resolution paradigm involves resolution rules, i.e. logical formulae in the condition-action form, where the condition pattern implies the elimination of a candidate (a possible value for a CSP variable). Defining a resolution theory as a set of resolution rules, it introduces several families of such theories. Each of them carries its own notion of simplicity, defines a rating of CSP...

"Pattern-Based Constraint Satisfaction and Logic Puzzles" develops a pure logic, pattern-based perspective of solving the finite Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP), with emphasis on finding the "simplest" solution. Different ways of reasoning with the constraints are formalised by various families of "resolution rules," each of them carrying its own notion of simplicity. A large part of the book illustrates the power of the approach by applying it to various popular logic puzzles. It provides a unified view of how to model and solve them, even though they involve very different types of...