AUTOMATED TIMETABLING USING AN OBJECT-ORIENTED SCHEDULER

The timetabling problem has traditionally been treated as a mathematic al optimization, heuristic, or human-machine interactive problem. Thes e approaches tend to suffer from lack of flexibility, computational in tractability, and poor results. We introduce an automated timetabler t hat combines data, model and knowledge-bases, developed using object-o riented methodology. The inclusion of expert knowledge allows for solu tions that fit the problem context better while the use of a database enables a more flexible and maintainable system. The object-oriented p aradigm allows for a more efficient design and code implementation of scheduling procedures. Results have been promising as the system has a utomatically scheduled over 2000 students and instructors into more th an 300 classes.