SALT: A Knowledge-Acquisition Tool for Propose-and-Revise Systems

Abstract

SALT⁶ is a knowledge-acquisition tool for generating expert systems that use a propose-and-revise problem-solving strategy. The SALT-assumed method constructs a design incrementally by proposing values for design parameters, identifying constraints on design parameters as the design develops, and revising decisions in response to constraint violations in the proposal. This problem-solving strategy provides the basis for SALT’s knowledge representation. SALT uses its knowledge of the intended problem-solving strategy in identifying relevant domain knowledge, in detecting weaknesses in the knowledge base in order to guide its interrogation of the domain expert, in generating an expert system that performs the task and explains its line of reasoning, and in analyzing test case coverage. The strong commitment to problem-solving strategy that gives SALT its power also defines its scope.

This material, first published in Artificial Intelligence, an international journal of Elsevier Publishers B.V. (North-Holland), Amsterdam, is reprinted here by the permission of the publisher.