timetable-generation

A web-based academic timetable generation platform that constraint-based algorithms to generate conflict-free academic schedules in just a minute

Comment

🗓️ Automated Timetable Generation System

A web-based academic timetable generation platform built with Next.js frontend and Django REST Framework backend. The system uses constraint-based algorithms to generate conflict-free academic schedules.

🚀 Key Features

🔄 Timetable Generation

  • Multiple scheduling algorithms (Final Universal Scheduler, Enhanced Scheduler, Working Scheduler)
  • Constraint-based optimization
  • Support for theory and practical subjects
  • Batch and section-based scheduling

📋 Constraint Management

  • 19 academic and infrastructure constraints
  • Real-time constraint validation
  • Conflict detection and resolution
  • Room allocation optimization

🏫 Academic Features

  • Teacher-subject assignments with section specificity
  • Department-based data isolation
  • Batch and semester management
  • Classroom and lab allocation

📤 Export & Accessibility

  • PDF export functionality using jsPDF
  • Responsive web interface
  • User role management (Admin, Teacher, Student)

🧮 Algorithm Implementation

The system implements a Deterministic Constraint-Based Algorithm with controlled randomization:

Key Characteristics:

  • Deterministic Core: Same input always produces identical output for consistent scheduling
  • Constraint-Based Foundation: All 19 academic constraints are strictly enforced
  • Controlled Randomization: Random elements only when explicitly regenerating timetables
  • Predictable Results: Ensures consistent timetables for same academic configuration

Algorithm Components:

Final Universal Scheduler

  • Deterministic constraint-based scheduling
  • Enhanced room allocation with priority-based selection
  • Gap filling for compact scheduling
  • Section-based scheduling support

Enhanced Scheduler

  • Advanced constraint validation
  • Teacher unavailability handling
  • Cross-semester conflict detection

Working Scheduler

  • Basic conflict resolution
  • Teacher and room constraint enforcement

Constraint Enforced Scheduler

  • Systematic constraint validation
  • Iterative conflict resolution

⚙️ Constraint System

The system enforces 19 constraints:

Academic & Scheduling

  1. Subject Frequency - Correct number of classes per week based on credits
  2. Practical Blocks - 3-hour consecutive blocks for practical subjects
  3. Teacher Conflicts - No teacher double-booking
  4. Room Conflicts - No room double-booking
  5. Friday Time Limits - Classes must not exceed 12:00/1:00 PM with practical, 11:00 AM without practical
  6. Minimum Daily Classes - No day has only practical or only one class
  7. Thesis Day Constraint - Wednesday is exclusively reserved for Thesis subjects for final year students
  8. Compact Scheduling - Classes wrap up quickly while respecting Friday constraints
  9. Cross Semester Conflicts - Prevents scheduling conflicts across batches
  10. Teacher Assignments - Intelligent teacher assignment matching
  11. Friday Aware Scheduling - Monday-Thursday scheduling considers Friday limits proactively
  12. Working Hours - All classes are within 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  13. Same Lab Rule - All 3 blocks of practical subjects must use the same lab
  14. Practicals in Labs - Practical subjects must be scheduled only in laboratory rooms
  15. Room Consistency - Enhanced room consistency for theory/practical separation
  16. Same Theory Subject Distribution - Max 1 class per day, distributed across 5 weekdays
  17. Breaks Between Classes - Minimal breaks, only when needed
  18. Teacher Breaks - After 2 consecutive theory classes, teacher must have a break
  19. Teacher Unavailability - Teachers cannot be scheduled during their unavailable periods

✅ All 19 constraints have been successfully implemented and tested with real academic data from Software Engineering Department, including real faculty members, actual course structures, and comprehensive constraint validation.

🛠️ Tech Stack

Frontend

  • Next.js 15.1.4
  • React 19.1.0
  • Tailwind CSS 3.4.1
  • Axios 1.7.9 for API communication
  • MUI Icons 7.0.1, React Icons 5.4.0, and Lucide React 0.487.0 for UI elements
  • jsPDF 3.0.1 and jspdf-autotable 5.0.2 for PDF exports

Backend

  • Django 4.2.7 with Django REST Framework 3.14.0
  • JWT authentication via djangorestframework-simplejwt 5.3.0
  • SQLite database

Development Tools

  • ESLint 9 for code quality
  • Turbopack for faster development builds

📦 Getting Started

Prerequisites

  • Python 3.8+
  • Node.js 16+

Setup Instructions

  1. Clone the repository

    git clone <repository-url>
cd timetable-generation

  2. Install Backend Dependencies

    cd django-backend/backend
pip install -r requirements.txt

  3. Install Frontend Dependencies

    cd frontend
npm install

  4. Set Environment Variables

    • Create .env files for both backend and frontend
    • Configure Firebase service account credentials
    • Set Django secret key and database settings

  5. Run the Application

    # Start both backend and frontend concurrently
npm start

Or start individually:

npm run start:backend npm run start:frontend


---

## 🏗️ Project Structure

timetable-generation/ ├── django-backend/ # Django backend application │ ├── backend/ # Django project settings │ ├── timetable/ # Main timetable app │ │ ├── algorithms/ # Scheduling algorithms │ │ ├── models.py # Data models │ │ ├── views.py # API views │ │ └── urls.py # URL routing │ ├── users/ # User management app │ └── requirements.txt # Python dependencies ├── frontend/ # Next.js frontend application │ ├── pages/ # Application pages │ │ ├── components/ # React components │ │ └── utils/ # Utility functions │ ├── styles/ # CSS and styling │ └── package.json # Node.js dependencies └── package.json # Root package.json with scripts


---

## 🔧 Development Notes

- Modular architecture with separation between UI, API, and scheduling logic
- Enhanced constraint validator and resolver for complex scheduling requirements
- Supports multiple user roles and department-based access controls
- Firebase integration for user authentication
- Celery integration for background task processing

---

## 🎯 Use Case

This system automates the creation of academic timetables for educational institutions, handling complex scheduling constraints while ensuring conflict-free schedules. It's designed for colleges, universities, and institutions looking to streamline their timetable generation process.

Built With

Share this project:

Updates