CONTENTS
Preface xi
Prologue: The Vocabulary Used with Eixpert Systems 1
PART WHY EXPERT SYSTEMS?
1 What Is an Expert System? 73
Definition 14; Expert System Goals 15; A Few Examples 17; Expert System Components 25; Representative Architecture 25; Qualifying Characteristics 30; Problem-solving Activities 33; Supported Domains 38; Summary 43; References 44
Knowledge-Base Management and System Evolution 45
Developing Systems in Constant Evolution 46; The Incremental Construction of Large Systems 58; Knowledge Classification and Control Strategies 61; Knowledge Representation Schemes 63; Inferencing Strategies 64
Business Opportunities Offered by Expert Systems 67
Business Interest in Expert Systems 67; Domains to Be Supported in the Future 71; Towards Greater Commercialization 80; Next Generation of Expert Systems 87; Expert Systems in Business Situations 95; What Do We Want Expert Systems to Do? 100; Realistic Expert System Capabilities 100
Linking Expert Systems to Other 4 Software 77 7
Integration of Expert Systems with DBMS 112; Integration of Expert Systems into the MIS Environment 114; Integration of Expert Systems with DSS 116; Integration of Expert Systems with Process Control 121; Integration of Expert Systems with Office Automation 124; References 126
PART II THE CONSTRUCTION OF EXPERT SYSTEMS
Verifying Suitability of Tasks for Expert
System Support 729
Introduction 129; An Expert Must Be Available 129;
Nonexperts Require Expertise 131;
The Task is Cognitive 132;
The Task Must Not Require Common Sense 134;
The Focus of the Expertise is Narrow 135;
The Time is Under One Week 136;
Rule Orientation is Helpful 137;
Return on Investment Should Be Significant 138
Building Expert Systems 747
Differences Between Building Conventional and Expert Systems Concepts That Affect Design and Construction 145; Architectural Issues 150; Selecting Requisite Components 151; Design Issues That Are Affected by Task Type 159; Organizational Constraints 160; References 162
Contents
Business Opportunities Offered by Expert Systems 67
Business Interest in Expert Systems 67; Domains to Be Supported in the Future 71; Towards Greater Commercialization 80; Next Generation of Expert Systems 87; Expert Systems in Business Situations 95; What Do We Want Expert Systems to Do? 100; Realistic Expert System Capabilities 100
Linking Expert Systems to Other Software 111
Integration of Expert Systems with DBMS 112; Integration of Expert Systems into the MIS Environment 114; Integration of Expert Systems with DSS 116; Integration of Expert Systems with Process Control 121; Integration of Expert Systems with Office Automation 124; References 126
PART III THE CONSTRUCTION OF EXPERT SYSTEMS
Verifying Suitability of Tasks for Expert
System Support 129
Introduction 129; An Expert Must Be Available 129;
Nonexperts Require Expertise 131;
The Task is Cognitive 132;
The Task Must Not Require Common Sense 134;
The Focus of the Expertise is Narrow 135;
The Time is Under One Week 136;
Rule Orientation is Helpful 137;
Return on Investment Should Be Significant 138
Building Expert Systems ui
Differences Between Building Conventional and Expert Systems Concepts That Affect Design and Construction 145; Architectural Issues 150; Selecting Requisite Components 151; \ Design Issues That Are Affected by Task Type 159; Organizational Constraints 160; References 162
The Expert System Life Cycle 763
Project Life Cycle for Expert Systems 163; Knowledge Acquisition Tasks 171; Expert System Construction Tasks 178
Expert System Construction Requirements 787
Software 187; Hardware 192; Staff 194; Summary 197
TOOLS FOR BUILDING EXPERT SYSTEMS
Languages 207
LISP 202; PROLOG 209; OPS5 216; References 222
Expert System Shells 223
Shell Components 223;
Knowledge-Building Support Components 227; User-System Interface Tools 230;
Knowledge-Bases, Blackboards, and Database Interfaces 231; Explanation Facilities 232; Technical Details of Shells 232; Knowledge Representation Schemes 233; Inference Schemes 238
Commercial Expert System Shells 249
Automated Reasoning Tool (ART) 251; EXSYS 261;
Insight 2 + 264; Knowledge Engineering Environment (KEE) 268;
KnowledgeCraft 273; M.l 276;
Personal Consultant and Personal Consultant Plus 279; PICON 285; RuleMaster 291; TIMM 295
Hardware for Expert Systems 307
LISP Machine Inc. 303; Symbolics 307; Tektronix 312; Texas Instruments 313; Xerox 321
Contents
PART IV CONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES
Development of a Large Expert System 327
XSEL 327; Background 327; System Goals 330; XSEL System Description 331; System Use Today 343; Concluding Remarks 369
Development of a Personal Computer Expert System 373
Project Inception 373; How the Project Proceeded 374; FMS Communications Diagnostic System 374; Quick and Accurate Diagnosis 375; A Run Example 406; Concluding Remarks 410
How to Select the Right Tools 415
Knowledge Representations and Strategies 415; Requisite Tool Functionality 419; Interoperability 420; Selection Criteria 421; Summary 432
The Future of Expert System Technology 433
Knowledge Representation 433; Knowledge Acquisition 434; Expert System Tools 438; Expert System Programming 441; Expert System Interfacing 441; Expert System Applications 44 Summary 444
Index 447