The First Constraint-Based Local Search Backend for MiniZinc

Abstract: MiniZinc is a modelling language used to model combinatorial optimisation and satisfaction problems, which can then be solved in a backend solver. There are many different backend solvers based on different technologies such as constraint programming, mathematical programming, or Boolean satisfiability solving. However, there is currently no constraint-based local search (CBLS) backend. This thesis gives an overview of the design of the first CBLS backend for MiniZinc. Experimental results show that for some relevant MiiZinc models, the CBLS backend is able to give high-quality results.