Towards the Integration of Constraint Logic Programming and Mathematical Programming

Preface During the first days of the new millennium I started my research project at Paragon Decision Technology in Haarlem, the Netherlands. That was January 3, 2000. Some 6 months later, the research project is finished, and the report is in front of the reader. As for the writer, a feeling of satisfaction has come over him. This thesis concerns a subject that is quite promising. Since it is not a regular subject of my graduate program, quite a lot of time had to be spent on the theoretical background. Furthermore, several practical applications of the subject were considered. This mixture of theory and applications turned out to be an ideal combination for me. I would like to thank the following persons: J. Bisschop, for being an inspiring supervisor, for reviewing this thesis, but mostly for enabling me to carry out this research project at this level. Koos Heerink, for supporting me during the implementation of the programs, for answering other questions that appeared, and for reading this thesis. J. Hurink, for reading this thesis. The colleagues at Paragon Decision Technology, for providing a nice working environment.