daw@cl.cam.ac.uk (David Wolfram) (06/20/89)
ACE Version 1.3 --------------- ACE (Abstract Clause Engine) is an experimental program for solving problems specified by clauses. It has a variety of generic search methods, and a preprocessor. It should be useful for developing prototype languages, and for use in courses on logic programming or proof theory. Example problems include: - logic programming with equational unification - equational unification - rewriting - logic programming - context-free grammar parsing and generation - n queens problem - distinct representatives problem. The search methods include: - backtrack - optimised forward checking with search rearrangement - adaptive backtrack - depth first and breadth first search - iterative deepening (for one or more solutions). Some of these methods can be combined. For example, adaptive backtrack and iterative deepening. Search methods can also be combined to solve a problem. In logic programming with equational unification, the search method for finding equational unifiers can be different from that for finding refutations. ACE is written and distributed as Standard ML Version 2 source files in tar format on tape. It is approximately 125Kb in total size. It can be compiled with Poly/ML v1.75, and Standard ML of New Jersey, Version 0.33. Poly/ML is available only for VAX and Sun-3 computers running Berkeley UNIX. A Sun should have at last 4Mb of store. Cambridge can distribute Poly/ML for academic research purposes only. A Poly/ML licence permitting teaching or commercial research can be obtained from Imperial Software Technology 3 Glisson Road Cambridge CB1 2HA England. Phone: +44 223 462400. Please write to receive a copy of the licence agreement for ACE Version 1.3 and state whether you require a licence agreement for Poly/ML for academic research. Licence forms can be sent to you in LaTeX format by email. There is a distribution fee of 100 pounds sterling for ACE and 100 pounds sterling for Poly/ML, if it is required. The first distribution is expected to occur in September 1989. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Wolfram E-mail: daw@cl.cam.ac.uk University of Cambridge Telex: via 81240 CAMSPL G Computer Laboratory Fax: +44 223 334748 Pembroke Street Phone: +44 223 334634 Cambridge CB2 3QG England.