COCOS-a tool for constraint-based, dynamic configuration

The COCOS (COnfiguration through COnstraint Satisfaction) project was aimed at producing a tool that could be used for a variety of configuration applications. Traditionally, representation methods for technical configuration have focused either on reasoning about the structure of systems or the quantity of components, which is not satisfactory in many target areas that need both. Starting from general requirements on configuration systems, we have developed a language based on an extension of the constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) model. The constraint-based approach allows a simple system architecture, and a declarative description of the different types of configuration knowledge. We briefly discuss the current implementation and the experiences obtained with a real-world knowledge base