Abstract: The present invention employs a generative approach for configuring systems such that a system may be configured based on component or resource requests, or input in the form of need. The present invention provides a constraint-based configuration system using a structural model hierarchy. The structural aspects of the model provide the ability to define a model element as being contained in, or by, another model element. In addition, the structural model provides the ability to identify logical datatype and physical interconnections between elements and establish connections between elements. To configure a system, the present invention accepts input in the form of requests (e.g., component or resource) or needs, such as an expression of a need for a desktop computer system to be used in a CAD (i.e., computer-aided design) environment.

Abstract: The present invention employs a generative approach for configuring systems such that a system may be configured based on component or resource requests, or input in the form of need. The present invention provides a constraint-based configuration system using a structural model hierarchy. The structural aspects of the model provide the ability to define a model element as being contained in, or by, another model element. In addition, the structural model provides the ability to identify logical datatype and physical interconnections between elements and establish connections between elements. To configure a system, the present invention accepts input in the form of requests (e.g., component or resource) or needs, such as an expression of a need for a desktop computer system to be used in a CAD (i.e., computer-aided design) environment.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for managing memory in goal processing. The present invention creates search states that contain an alternative subgoal (i.e., subgoal with alternatives) and non-alternative subgoals. Problem state modifications associated with the goals contained in a search state are associated with a search state object. A search state object contains information about the search process and the goals included in the search state, and a pointer to previous search state objects. Processed goals are kept on a goal stack, and the search state object points to the first and last goal stack entry included in the search state object. A search state object includes a list of alternatives available in the search state. When a goal processing failure occurs, an alternative solution search begins with the latest search state object until an alternative is found, or a determination is made that no alternatives exist and the goal cannot be satisfied.