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Interfacing a knowledge-based system to a large database

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2009

P. M. D. Gray ,
I. G. Archibald  and
K. Lunn
P. M. D. Gray
Affiliation:
Computing Science Dept., Univ. of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB9 2UB, Scotland, UK
I. G. Archibald
Affiliation:
Shell Research Ltd, Thornton Research Centre, PO Box 1, Chester CH1 3SH, UK
K. Lunn
Affiliation:
Shell Research Ltd, Thornton Research Centre, PO Box 1, Chester CH1 3SH, UK
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Abstract

This paper describes the interfacing problem that arose in a Product Formulation expert system written in LISP that had to be interfaced to data in a relational database running on a separate mainframe computer. It surveys the different forms of coupling that are possible and emphasizes the advantages of tight navigational coupling over the more popular set-based coupling. It describes how Prolog was used to overcome the interfacing problems and to provide a customized front end to an end user, based on a navigational interface. It reviews the techniques of using Prolog and the likely obstacles, together with a look forward to databases using Frames or Objects.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Knowledge Engineering Review , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , March 1989 , pp. 31 - 51
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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