Question 1

How do I install Logician in a Swift project?

Accepted Answer

Add it via Swift Package Manager by including `.package(url: "https://github.com/mdiep/Logician.git", .branch("master"))` in your Package.swift dependencies. It's SPM-compatible and integrates seamlessly with Swift's build tools.

Question 2

What are some practical use cases for Logician beyond puzzles?

Accepted Answer

It's suitable for constraint-based problems like graph coloring for maps, dependency resolution in package managers, and scheduling applications. The declarative approach shines where solutions are defined by multiple interrelated conditions.

Question 3

Logician vs Prolog: which is better for Swift apps?

Accepted Answer

Logician is embedded in Swift, offering type safety and native integration, while Prolog is a standalone language with more features but requires bridging. For Swift-centric projects, Logician reduces complexity, but Prolog has a richer ecosystem for advanced logic programming.

Question 4

How to create custom constraints in Logician?

Accepted Answer

Define new goals by implementing functions that return generators over states, using the provided Variable and Goal concepts. Start by extending built-in operators or refer to the miniKanren resources linked in the README for advanced patterns.

Question 5

Can Logician handle optimization problems or just satisfaction?

Accepted Answer

It focuses on constraint satisfaction, finding valid solutions based on goals, but lacks built-in optimization for best solutions. You'd need to layer additional logic, such as filtering results, which might be less efficient than dedicated optimization libraries.

Question 6

Is Logician ready for production use?

Accepted Answer

Not recommended for critical production due to its early stage and unstable API. The README warns of future changes, so it's better suited for prototyping, education, or non-mission-critical applications where flexibility is acceptable.

Question 7

How to debug failing constraints in Logician?

Accepted Answer

Debugging can be challenging as it's declarative; use print statements or breakpoints within goal functions to inspect state generators. Since documentation is limited, experimenting with the playground examples is key to understanding solver behavior.

Logician

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