Generic constraint problem solving based on general systems models

Results of ongoing research at the College of Staten Island are presented. The goal of the research project described is to investigate, design, and implement a knowledge-based system shell using general systems models as knowledge templates. A knowledge-based system shell is provided for representing knowledge in a computer such that, in many cases, it mirrors experts´ conceptual models. In addition, the shell provides generic problem-solving methodologies which may be utilized in implementing problem-solving across disciplines. The investigations led to a class of scheduling problems which involve constraint satisfaction and to generic methodologies which are associated with such problem-solving. This in turn leads to a distinction among constraints imposed on data, and constraints imposed on behavior and constraints imposed on structure. Classes of constraints which can suggest intuitively natural ways to partition constraint problem-solving are identified and formalized