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TFL: an algebraic language to specify the dynamic behaviour of knowledge-based systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2009

Christine Pierret-Golbreich
Affiliation:
L.R.I. CNRS URA 410, Université Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France (Email):[pierret, talon] @lri.fr
Xavier Talon
Affiliation:
L.R.I. CNRS URA 410, Université Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France (Email):[pierret, talon] @lri.fr

Abstract

TFL, the Task Formal Language, has been developed for integrating the static and dynamic aspects of knowledge based systems. This paper focuses on the formal specification of dynamic behaviour. Although fundamental in knowledge based systems, strategic reasoning has been rather neglected until now by the existing formal specifications. Most languages were generally more focused on the domain and problem-solving knowledge specification than on the control. The formalisation presented here differs from previous ones in several aspects. First, a different representation of dynamic knowledge is proposed: TFL is based on Algebraic Data Types, as opposed to dynamic or temporal logic. Second, dynamic strategic reasoning is emphasised, whereas existing languages only offer to specify algorithmic control. Then, TFL does not only provide the specification of the problem-solving knowledge of the object system, but also of its strategic knowledge. Finally, the dynamic knowledge of the meta-system itself is also specified. Moreover, modularisation is another important feature of the presented language.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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