![]() |
|||
![]()
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Chapter 4
|
1. | Introduction | |
2. | Historical Overview | |
3. | Types of Tools | |
3.1. | Languages | |
3.2. | Rule-Based Tools | |
3.3. | Frame-Based Tools | |
3.4. | Fuzzy Logic Tools | |
3.5. | Induction Tools | |
3.6. | Cased-Based Reasoning Tools | |
3.7. | Domain-Specific Tools | |
4. | Choosing a Tool | |
4.1. | Knowledge Base | |
4.2. | Inference and Control Process | |
4.3. | Explanation Facility | |
4.4. | Developer Interface | |
4.5. | User Interface | |
4.6. | System Interface | |
4.7. | Hardware | |
4.8. | Support | |
4.9. | Cost | |
4.10. | Ask the Buyers | |
5. | The Tool Market | |
6. | The Future | |
6.1. | Tool Market | |
6.2. | Integration | |
6.3. | Domain-Specific Tools | |
6.4. | Automated Knowledge Acquisition | |
6.5. | Knowledge Discovery in Databases | |
6.6. | World Wide Web | |
References |
During the past several decades, we have seen expert system technology evolve from a laboratory curiosity into a valuable tool for assisting human decision making. We have witnessed its application over a wide range of tasks: from assisting mine managers with planning mining activities, helping farmers avoid pest infestations, to controlling life support systems aboard the space station. Many reasons can be put forth to help explain this success story, with one of the better ones centered around the introduction and widespread use of expert system development tools called shells. A shell is a programming environment that contains all of the necessary utilities for both developing and running an expert system. Figure 1 shows the architecture of an expert system shell.
FIGURE 1 Expert system shell architecture.
We will look at each of these subsystems in more detail later and review some of their more important features to consider when selecting a shell.
In theory, when developing an expert system using a shell, your only major requirement is to place the problem's knowledge in the knowledge base. All the other modules needed to run the system are already there for you. This greatly reduces development time and enables an individual lacking extensive programming experience the opportunity to build the system.
In this chapter we will first look at the history of expert system development tools, including some of the more popular languages. Next we review some of the major types of tools for building knowledge-based systems. We then review the major tool features to consider when selecting a tool, and also look at the results of a survey conducted of expert system developers who were asked to judge the importance of these features. The commercial tool market is also reviewed, where tool sale figures are shown for the last several years. Finally, we consider what the future landscape of the expert system tool market might look like.
Previous | Table of Contents | Next |
![]() |
|
Use of this site is subject certain Terms & Conditions. Copyright (c) 1996-1999 EarthWeb, Inc.. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of EarthWeb is prohibited. Please read our privacy policy for details. |