Text Formatting with Prolog

Abstract

This chapter illustrates the use of Prolog features for word processing. The problems were selected from the book by (Welsh; Elder 1979), an introduction to PASCAL. The idea is to apply Prolog in a rather devious application domain, in what concerns the intended capabilities of logic programming. The general aim consists in testing whether Prolog can be compared to PASCAL in a matter where this programming language is quite able. Also, another intention is involved: to check how Prolog behaves in commercial applications, too involved with file manipulation, and often related to symbolic processing. We are convinced that such exercises are rather desirable because if Prolog goes commercial diverse situations arise in the design of real programs, and some knowledge about the ways Prolog copes and interacts with other special purpose programming languages is required.