Interfacing a knowledge-based system to a large database
Peter M. D. Gray, I. G. Archibald, K. Lunn · The Knowledge Engineering Review · 1989
Abstract This paper describes the interfacing problem that arose in a Product Formulation expert system written in LISP that had to be interfaced to data in a relational database running on a separate mainframe computer. It surveys the different forms of coupling that are possible and emphasizes the advantages of tight navigational coupling over the more popular set-based coupling. It describes how Prolog was used to overcome the interfacing problems and to provide a customized front end to an end user, based on a navigational interface. It reviews the techniques of using Prolog and the likely obstacles, together with a look forward to databases using Frames or Objects.