Using Abstrips Abstractions - Where do We Stand?

Fausto Giunchiglia

Abstract: Many experimental and theoretical results have been provided which analyze the effects of Abstrips abstractions in search problems. Some of these results are positive, i.e. show gains in efficiency; some are negative and seem to contradict, at least partially, the positive results. The aim of this note is to provide an analysis of how Abstrips abstractions work, and use it to provide an explanation of the main results which can be found in the literature.