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Increased performance
Logicalapproachto expert systemsdevelopment An expert systems development tool has been launched by Expert Systems International. It employs frames to represent knowledge and combines this with rules. According to the developers, ESP FrameEngine provides a means of locally grouping rules and variables together, and allows knowledge about sets and subsets of objects to be naturally represented in a way not possible by using rules only. Frames are useful where the expert system needs to model the domain of the expert as well as representing the expertise within that domain. A frame is a piece of structured info~ation containing typical attributes, characteristics, features, properties, or qualities of an object, act or event. Each frame comprises a set of named ‘slots’, each of which can have a value, or a set of values. The value of a slot can be another frame (or set of frames), allowing complex heirarchical networks to be built up. The inference engine also
recognizes a special type of link between frames, in which one frame ‘inherits’ all of the slots of its parent frame. When the frame structure has been created, rules can be set up to describe the relationships within it. Sets of ‘backward chaining rules can be written which are automatically triggered when specified slots are given values. By adding PROLOG-& Expert Systems’ own implementation of PROLOG, more experienced developers can customize ESP FrameEngine to suit their particular needs. Via PROLOG-& users can also replace or add modules as appropriate. ESP FrameEngine costs 5995, with a special price of &695 for educational establishments. It requires a minimum of 640 kbyte RAM and is available on the IBM PC XT, AT and close compatibles such as RM Nimbus, DEC Rainbow, Apricot Xi and Apricot Xen microcomputers. (Expert Systems International Ltd, 9 West Way, Oxford OX2 OJB, UK. Tel: (0865) 242206) cl
Increasedpe~o~an~~ US-based Softool Co~ration tas released a faster version of ts Change and Configuration Iontrol (CCC) environment or the DEC VaxNMS operatng system. With Release 2.0.4, better Krformance has been proluced in terms of speed in:reases and resource utilizaion, according to the develop:rs. Execution times for most of :CC’s functions have insreased by 20%. In addition,
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the latest release makes optimum use of space with a new database and journal file formats. It also comes equipped with a conversion utility that allows users to convert 2.0+ databases to the 2.0.4. format. The cost of CCC on DEC VETS ranges from $10~ for MicroVax to $30000 for the larger systems, (Sofool Corporation, 340 South Kellogg Ave, Goleta, CA 93117, USA. Tel: (80.5) 683 5777) El
DECannounces Vaxmate
DEC has announced a personal computer workstation which allows for the integra:ion of data created on a Vax pith IBM-compatible applica:ions. Called the Vaxmate, the sys:em is designed to be used within a corporate environnent where networked PCs tre required. Because it is compatible vith MS/DOS based business ,ackages and software availtble for DEC’s range of Vax omputers, including Cadcam, ffice, research and scientific lackages . The keyboard will handle 10th IBM and DEC formats nd resembles the DEC standrd keyboard. Similarly, the monitor supports both DEC nd IBM graphics modes. An optional maths coproessor is also available along rith an optional expansion box ontaining a 20 Mbyte hard isc drive with controller.
The Vaxmate has a common menu which is presented to the user for both DEC and MS/ DOS edit sessions. Although the data may be stored on a remote disc on any Vax on the network, the user has full control on the opening of and access to files on their system and on password protection of the data contained therein. The management of the network resides within the DECnet protocol on the network and the user is therefore refeased from backup and disc segmenting activities. Additionally, backup is centralized for ease of use. Vaxmate is available now and costs from E3055 for the basic hardware/software configuration and 12 months warranty. The expansion unit will be an extra &1360. The product is available worldwide. (Digital Equipment Co Ltd, PO Box 110, Reading RG2 OTR, UK. Tel: (0734) 856117) 17
data processing
recognizes a special type of link between frames, in which one frame ‘inherits’ all of the slots of its parent frame. When the frame structure has been created, rules can be set up to describe the relationships within it. Sets of ‘backward chaining rules can be written which are automatically triggered when specified slots are given values. By adding PROLOG-& Expert Systems’ own implementation of PROLOG, more experienced developers can customize ESP FrameEngine to suit their particular needs. Via PROLOG-& users can also replace or add modules as appropriate. ESP FrameEngine costs 5995, with a special price of &695 for educational establishments. It requires a minimum of 640 kbyte RAM and is available on the IBM PC XT, AT and close compatibles such as RM Nimbus, DEC Rainbow, Apricot Xi and Apricot Xen microcomputers. (Expert Systems International Ltd, 9 West Way, Oxford OX2 OJB, UK. Tel: (0865) 242206) cl
Increasedpe~o~an~~ US-based Softool Co~ration tas released a faster version of ts Change and Configuration Iontrol (CCC) environment or the DEC VaxNMS operatng system. With Release 2.0.4, better Krformance has been proluced in terms of speed in:reases and resource utilizaion, according to the develop:rs. Execution times for most of :CC’s functions have insreased by 20%. In addition,
558
the latest release makes optimum use of space with a new database and journal file formats. It also comes equipped with a conversion utility that allows users to convert 2.0+ databases to the 2.0.4. format. The cost of CCC on DEC VETS ranges from $10~ for MicroVax to $30000 for the larger systems, (Sofool Corporation, 340 South Kellogg Ave, Goleta, CA 93117, USA. Tel: (80.5) 683 5777) El
DECannounces Vaxmate
DEC has announced a personal computer workstation which allows for the integra:ion of data created on a Vax pith IBM-compatible applica:ions. Called the Vaxmate, the sys:em is designed to be used within a corporate environnent where networked PCs tre required. Because it is compatible vith MS/DOS based business ,ackages and software availtble for DEC’s range of Vax omputers, including Cadcam, ffice, research and scientific lackages . The keyboard will handle 10th IBM and DEC formats nd resembles the DEC standrd keyboard. Similarly, the monitor supports both DEC nd IBM graphics modes. An optional maths coproessor is also available along rith an optional expansion box ontaining a 20 Mbyte hard isc drive with controller.
The Vaxmate has a common menu which is presented to the user for both DEC and MS/ DOS edit sessions. Although the data may be stored on a remote disc on any Vax on the network, the user has full control on the opening of and access to files on their system and on password protection of the data contained therein. The management of the network resides within the DECnet protocol on the network and the user is therefore refeased from backup and disc segmenting activities. Additionally, backup is centralized for ease of use. Vaxmate is available now and costs from E3055 for the basic hardware/software configuration and 12 months warranty. The expansion unit will be an extra &1360. The product is available worldwide. (Digital Equipment Co Ltd, PO Box 110, Reading RG2 OTR, UK. Tel: (0734) 856117) 17
data processing