prologclpb

Undesirable properties of CLPB


library(clpb) is currently available in SICStus (original version), and SWI (by mat). Let me come to the essence quite rapidly:

?- X = 1+1, sat(X), X = 1+1.
X = 1+1.

?-          sat(X), X = 1+1.
false.

So this is a similar problem as it exists in the default state of library(clpfd).

What to do in such a situation?

Update: In library(clpfd) of mat, there is now the functor # /1 for this purpose. Ideally, accompanied with an operator declaration op(150,fx,#), we now can write:

?- X = 1+1, #X #= Y.
ERROR: Type error: `integer' expected, found `1+1' (a compound)

To ensure full algebraic properties one has to declare:

:- set_prolog_flag(clpfd_monotonic, true).

Now, variables that are left ambiguous (thus, being either integers only, or expressions) produce instantiation errors:

?-  1 + 1 #= Y.
ERROR: Arguments are not sufficiently instantiated
?- 1 + 1 #= #Y.
Y = 2.

Solution

  • What to do in such a situation?

    In the meantime, also library(clpb) ensures monotonicity similar to library(clpz)/library(clfd). Within this execution mode, explicit variables have to be decorated with (v)/1.

    ?- current_prolog_flag(clpb_monotonic,B).
    B = false.                             % the default
    
    ?- sat(X).
    X = 1.
    
    ?- set_prolog_flag(clpb_monotonic,true).
    true.
    
    ?- sat(X).
    ERROR: Arguments are not sufficiently instantiated
    
    ?- sat(v(X)).
    X = 1.
    

    In Scryer, say:

    ?- use_module(library(clpb)).
       true.
    ?- asserta(clpb:monotonic).
       true.
    ?- sat(X).
       error(instantiation_error,instantiation_error(unknown(_67),1)).
    ?- sat(v(X)).
       X = 1.