A declarative framework for temporal discrete simulation

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce temporal processes and linear constraints on naturals for solving temporal discrete simulations problems. We first describe a new approach for solving such constraints, based on the generation of parametric solutions. The algorithm of the solver of linear constraints on naturals, its proof, as well as a general presentation of its implementation are presented. Then we present the main concepts that we introduce (temporal process, process reduction, process scheduler based on solving linear constraints on naturals...) for temporal discrete simulation. Temporal calculus is solved here via the resolution of linear constraints on naturals. Such constraints are especially generated by the predefined predicates associated with temporal processes, and by the processes scheduler. Terms used in this temporal calculus can use duration and dates as logical variables, and the resolution determines all their values in a parametric form. The resulting programming system allows the events and activities associated with an application to be simulated, and produces all their possible resolution dates.