Teaching CP systems in Java using Gecode/J

Mikael Zayenz Lagerkvist, Guido Tack

Abstract:

A course covering constraint programming (CP) systems should include at least
four main topics: modeling, propagators (implementing constraints), branchings
(non-deterministic choice), and exploration of the search tree. In order to de-
liver a hands-on experience to the students, we have developed Gecode/J, a
Java interface to the Gecode C++ library. Using Gecode/J, students can get
acquainted with all four aforementioned topics in a programming language they
are familiar with. Both Gecode and Gecode/J are open source software. The full
source code, an API reference and some example programs are available from
the project web pages. Gecode/J has been used for teaching CP courses at KTH
and at Uppsala University in Sweden, and at Universit´e Catholique de Louvain
in Belgium