Formalization of Generalized Constraint Language: A Crucial Prelude to Computing With Words.

The generalized constraint language (GCL), introduced by Zadeh, serves as a basis for computing with words (CW). It provides an agenda to express the imprecise and fuzzy information embedded in natural language and allows reasoning with perceptions. Despite its fundamental role, the definition of GCL has remained informal since its introduction by Zadeh, and to our knowledge, no attempt has been made to formulate a rigorous theoretical framework for GCL.