A Unified Framework for Constraint-Based Modeling

This paper discusses the architecture and implementation of a unified system for constraint-based modeling which attempts to unify disparate constraint-based techniques and have the extensibility to incorporate future techniques. The process of constraint-based modeling is approached from a very general perspective and some key concepts are identified. These key concepts, namely, uertical refinement, Iwrizontal partitioning, and temporal sequencing, suggest a software architecture for a general modeling environment. An implementation based on these concepts is presented. A number of examples modeled using the modeling system are also presented.