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From: daemon@metro.ucc.su.OZ.AU
Newsgroups: comp.ai.digest
Subject: AI &Software Engineering
Message-ID: <134@ditsyda.oz>
Date: 11 Mar 88 06:11:01 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: CSIRO DIT Sydney, Australia
Lines: 52
Keywords: ai software engineering dbms database
Approved: ailist@kl.sri.com


A recent article on news asked for information regarding software engineering
applied to AI. A subsequent article eluded to a lack of information in this
area.

The CSIRO division of information technology has a research program applying
software engineering techniques to the AI area. We have two projects currently
on the go, both first generation expert system redevelopment projects.

SIRATAC is an expert system that advises cotton growers on what to spray on
their cotton crop, and GARVAN ES1 is an expert system that interprets blood
samples in a pathology laboratory and inserts an interpretation onto the
report in the area of thyroid disorders. Both these expert systems have grown
uncontrolled by any design parameters, and subsequently have become difficult
to maintain. We are applying data dictionary technology to both these expert
systems to fully document, define, and cross reference the knowledge, in the
form of production rules.

There are several technical reports available as follows

  tr-fd-87-02 Applying software engineering concepts to rule based expert
              systems.

  tr-fc-87-05 Formal Specification of a self referential data dictionary

  tr-fc-88-01 The knowledge dictionary. A relational tool for the maintenance
              of expert systems.
 In addition, another program is implementing a pattern matching hardware
engine into UNSW Prolog to speed up the pattern matching process.

Copies of any technical reports are available by applying to

  The Divisional Secretary
  CSIRO Division of Information Technology
  PO Box 1599
  North Ryde
  NSW 2113

  Australia
  
  phone Australia 02 887 9307
  fax   Australia 02 888 7787

or alternatively by mailing a request to me at the address


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