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From: kneale@sse1.bwi.wec.com (Jim Kneale)
Subject: Re: Q: Expert System vs. Other Software System
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References:  <3c5m1i$avk@syko.cosmic.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Dec 1994 20:13:51 GMT

In article <3c5m1i$avk@syko.cosmic.com> tiger@syko.cosmic.com (tigerman) writes:

>2. If I go to an extreme and say, expert systems are merely procedural programs
>   with plenty if-then-else structures, how do you criticize?  I know this 
>   statement sounds pretty biased (stupid? :-), but I want to hear your 
>   argument.  Again, I'm not at a high level, so I just don't see much of the
>   big picture...could any knowledgeable people enlighten me some on these
>   issues?

An expert system differs from a if-then-else procedural program in that the 
control structure is separated from the knowledge base.  Modifying the 
knowledge base does not affect the control structure.  One can create the 
knowledge base then purchase an expert system shell that does clever things 
with the knowledge.

Hope this helps -

Jim Kneale
kneale@sse1.bwi.wec.com
Westinghouse Electric Corp
(std disclaimer applies)

