The aim of the challenge is to compare various constraint solving technology on the same problems sets. The focus is on finite domain propagation solvers. An auxiliary aim is to build up a library of interesting problem models, which can be used to compare solvers and solving technologies.
Challenge participants provide a FlatZinc or MiniZinc solver and global constraint definitions
specialized for their solver. Each solver is run on 100 MiniZinc model instances. For FlatZinc
solvers, we run the minizinc compiler on the MiniZinc model and instance using the provided global
constraint definitions to create a FlatZinc file. The resultant FlatZinc file is then given as input
to the provided FlatZinc solver. For MiniZinc solvers, the MiniZinc model and data are input to the
provided solver. Points are awarded for solving problems, speed of solution, and goodness of
solutions (for optimization problems).
Entrants must register their intention to enter the contest before the final submission date.
The initial submission round is an opportunity for us to provide feedback concerning your entry; it
does not count towards the final result.
Feel free to register and later withdraw.
To register send an email with the following subject line
[MZNC21] registration
to
mzn-challenge 'at' lists.csiro.au
In the body of the email, please include an email address at which we can contact you and the name of your solver.
All entrants need to extend the MiniZinc docker image (available at
https://hub.docker.com/r/minizinc/mznc2021/, tag
latest) with their solver. Detailed information how to prepare the docker image are available
here. The entrant will upload the extended image to Docker Hub and fill out a web
form (provided after registration) providing the location of the image to the MiniZinc organisers.
Please carefully read the rules before submission.
We strongly encourage all entrants to submit one or two MiniZinc models satisfying the contest requirements, together with instances for these models. All models will be considered for the MiniZinc Challenge, however we may need to make some modifications to them in order to ensure they are suitable for the challenge.
The sooner they are submitted the better, the deadline is Fri, 9 July 2021. The call for problem submission is available here. Please feel free to distribute it.
The rules for the MiniZinc Challenge 2021 are available here.
If we need to make changes to the rules, all registered entrants will be informed by email.
The judges will be responsible for selecting the tested instances, vetting the results, and ruling on any questions that arise during the competition.
This is the 13th time this challenge is being run, and there are many possibilities for comparing CP solvers. The rules try to make a sensible set of choices for the comparison. We welcome any comments or suggestions regarding the running of this challenge.
We can be contacted with the subject starting with [MZNC21] at:
mzn-challenge 'at' lists.csiro.au
The MiniZinc forum is for beginners, users, and developers to discuss MiniZinc. If you would like to join then sign up for the MiniZinc forums.
The MiniZinc page includes a list of resources related to MiniZinc and FlatZinc.
The MiniZinc 2.5.5 Distribution includes a MiniZinc-to-FlatZinc converter and a large suite of MiniZinc examples and benchmarks.
The MiniZinc Challenges 2008-2020 webpage, includes the results from each MiniZinc Challenge.