The Heuristic Search Research Framework

The Heuristic Search Research Framework is a software framework for conducting studies of heuristic search algorithms. The framework is more than a set of building blocks that facilitate the production of flexible and efficient implementations of heuristic search algorithms. The intended uses that distinguish this framework are: (1) gaining of insights into properties of search algorithms through a variety of means, (2) easy production of examples that can be used both for conference presentations and to teach heuristic search to students and (3) using policy-based design for building a taxonomy of implemented algorithmic variants. The paper presents the motivation behind the framework's design and provides a short description of the framework's features with examples. The paper is supplemented by extensive documentation that includes a video demo.