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An object oriented approach to distributed problem solving

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 August 2010

M. A. Bramer
Affiliation:
University of Portsmouth
A. Eliëns
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science De Boelelaau 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam The Netherlands
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Summary

Abstract

One of the principal difficulties in developing a distributed problem solver is how to distribute the reasoning task between the agents cooperating to find a solution.

We will propose the distributed logic programming language DLP as a vehicle for the design and implementation of distributed knowledge based systems. The language DLP combines logic programming with active objects.

We will show how object oriented modeling may be applied for the specification and implementation of a distributed diagnostic (medical) expert system. The example illustrates how the diagnostic process is distributed over the agents participating in the diagnosis according to the structure of the knowledge of that particular domain.

Keywords:object oriented modeling, distributed problem-solving, knowledge-based systems, expert systems, distributed logic programming

Introduction

Logic programming offers a declarative way to solve problems in Artificial Intelligence. However, when implementing large (possibly distributed) systems, traditional software engineering problems such as modularization and the distribution of data and control reoccur. Cf. [Subrahmanyam, 1985].

One of the principal difficulties in developing a distributed problem solver is how to distribute the reasoning task between the agents cooperating to find a solution.

Due to its declarative nature, logic programming has become popular for implementing knowledge-based systems. However, lacking adequate modularization facilities, logic programming languages such as Prolog fall short in providing the mechanisms necessary to specify the distribution of data and control.

Object oriented modeling To tackle these problems, we suggest in this paper to embed the logic programming paradigm into an object oriented approach.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1993

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