Answer Set Solving in Practice

Answer Set Programming (ASP) is a declarative problem solving approach, initially tailored to modeling problems in the area of Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (KRR). More recently, its attractive combination of a rich yet simple modeling language with high-performance solving capacities has sparked interest in many other areas even beyond KRR. This book presents a practical introduction to ASP, aiming at using ASP languages and systems for solving application problems. Starting from the essential formal foundations, it introduces ASP's solving technology, modeling language and methodology, while illustrating the overall solving process by practical examples. Table of Contents: List of Figures / List of Tables / Motivation / Introduction / Basic modeling / Grounding / Characterizations / Solving / Systems / Advanced modeling / Conclusions Cover Copyright Page Title Page Abstract Dedication Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Lists List of Algorithms Preface About this book Motivation Quickstart References and further reading Introduction Logical preliminaries and terminology Basic syntax and semantics Language extensions First-order variables Core language Optimization statements Two (and a half) kinds of negation True language extensions Computational aspects Computation from first principles Reasoning modes Computational complexity References and further reading Basic modeling Problem encoding Modeling methodology Advanced problem encoding References and further reading Grounding Basic grounding algorithms Turing machine Meta programming References and further reading Characterizations Axiomatic characterization Operational characterization Proof-theoretic characterization Nogood-based characterization References and further reading Solving Boolean constraint solving Setting the stage Conflict-driven nogood learning Nogood propagation Unfounded set checking Conflict analysis References and further reading Systems Grounding with gringo Architecture gringo's input language Making grounding more transparent The smodels format Outlook Solving with clasp Interfaces and preprocessing Reasoning modes Propagation and search Multi-threaded architecture Making solving more transparent Fine-tuning Outlook More Potassco systems claspd claspar claspfolio clingo clingcon iclingo oclingo References and further reading Advanced modeling Pimping queens Stemming blocks Sequential planning Parallel planning Speeding salesmen Vade mecum gum References and further reading Conclusions Omissions Challenges Arming Tweety with jet engines ASP in a nutshell Bibliography Index