Abstract
This paper describes mechanical knowledge representation schemes found in several popular expert system building tools (ESBTs). In order to realize the full potential of ESBTs, it must be possible to develop a knowledge base in one ESBT and transfer the knowledge into another. Porting a knowledge base across ESBTs requires a clear understanding of the mechanical knowledge representation properties supported by each tool. In the following discussion, properties considered include: canonicity; truth value; plausibility, certainty, and possibility (PCP); temporality; and procedural knowledge. The nature of each property is described along with comments on related knowledge base characteristics. A summary table appears below relating these properties to several popular ESBTs. Overlap found in many of the mechanical knowledge representation properties suggests that automatic knowledge base translation is feasible.
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