JP2001100999A - Rule base system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a rule base system handleable a rule prescribing an action which is taken along time-series condition establishment and to facilitate the management of hierarchical rules. SOLUTION: A rule compiler 31 while reading in rules from a rule text 32 one by one and converting them into a network form merges parts where the rules have a common condition to complete a network and when a rule interpreter 34 receives data through a use interface 35, the data are put in a rule base 33, and a process for interpreting which rule the data match with is carried out and the result of a finally taken action is displayed on a user interface 35.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rule-based system which is a basis for constructing a so-called expert system for supporting human decision-making, such as failure diagnosis, failure management, and disaster recovery planning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a rule-based system has been known as a basis for constructing a so-called expert system for supporting human decision-making, such as fault diagnosis, fault management, and disaster countermeasure planning.

[0003] For example, "Hiroshi Takano et al .: Extension of Rete algorithm for conditions to deny conjunction, Transactions of Information Processing Society of Japan, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 373-379 (1994)" The general form of "rules" used in rule-based systems,
A method for interpreting and executing rules in a “Rete algorithm” that has been widely used for interpreting and executing a rule-based system is disclosed.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a rule used in such a conventional technique and an interpretation execution method thereof. FIG. 2A shows an example of a rule. In this rule, the basic structure of the rule includes a name, a condition group to be satisfied by the rule, and an action group to be executed when the condition is satisfied. Items that can be described as individual conditions and actions in the rules as elements are defined for each processing system of the rule base system. It should be noted that some processing systems may have components other than the above basic components, but detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0005] rule2 shown in FIG.
If there is data that simultaneously satisfies “b)”, “(ac)” and “(f)”, this means that rule2 becomes true, and actions not shown following “→” can be applied ”.

Next, the processing of the rule base system that handles such rules will be described. In the rule-based system based on this Rete algorithm, FIG.
A data structure called a “Rete network” as shown in FIG.

In the Rete network, common parts in the condition part of the rule in the rule base are collected in a network form to speed up the pattern matching process with data. For example, when data “(f)” is input to the Rete network shown in FIG.
First, at the node 141 in the figure, it is checked whether the first item of the data is “f”. Note that such a node is referred to as "1 input node".

In this case, since the first item of data is "f", the data is sent to the node 142 having a memory function and the data "(f)" is stored. Also,
This node 142 waits for the arrival of data that matches another condition pattern, and if both arrive, combines them and sends them to the next node. Thus, such a node 142 has 2
Since data is input from the direction, it is called a “two-input node”.

[0009] When all the data matching the conditions are prepared in this way, the action part of the rule becomes executable and is interpreted and executed by the processing system. When a plurality of rules are ready to be executed at a certain point in time, the processing system selects the action to be actually executed. However, since this method differs depending on the processing system, Then, the detailed description is omitted.

[0010]

However, in the above rule-based system, since the order in which the condition parts are established is not taken into account, there arises a problem that the content description is complicated depending on the rule. For example, ru shown in FIG.
In le2, three condition patterns “(ab)”, “(ac)” and “(f)” are described, and these patterns may be satisfied in any order.

However, in such a rule, ““ (a
b) ”and“ (ac) ”perform some action when satisfied, and then perform another action when“ (f) ”is satisfied. As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of rules must be used.

Here, the two rules shown in FIG.
After the condition that satisfies rule3 is satisfied and the action of rule3 is executed, and then the condition that satisfies rule4 is satisfied, rule4
The action of rule3 requires an action 151 for adding pseudo data indicating that the rule has been established and executed.

[0013] In this action 151, '(rule3_is
_True) ', but this content is
This pseudo data can be anything as long as it is unique within the rule base, and this pseudo data is described as the condition of the rule executed following rule3.

Here, the condition pattern 15 of the pseudo data
By using rule 2, when rule 3 is executed, the pseudo data '(rule3_is_true)' is converted to the condition pattern 15 of rule4.
If 2 matches and the other conditions of rule 4 are also satisfied, the action of rule 4 becomes executable.

According to the above, it is possible to control the execution order of the rules along the time series of the satisfaction of the conditions, but for the rule base developer, it is possible to control the pseudo order which is not related to the original conditions and actions. It is necessary to add basic contents and to manage both as a set, so that the modularity of the rule base is reduced, and this is one of the causes of depriving easy maintenance.

Further, in the conventional rule base, the same content must be described in a plurality of rules in some cases, and there is a problem that management of the hierarchical relationship between rules becomes complicated. For example, in a rule base for analyzing failures in a network, if the failure A occurs, the cause is X, and if the failures A and B occur simultaneously, the cause is Y. When describing things with rules, or with a rule base that shows countermeasures in the event of an earthquake,
Such a rule may be described as follows: "If an earthquake of seismic intensity 5 occurs, report the situation to the prefectural governor of the epicenter, and contact the Cabinet if the area is an area with enhanced earthquake countermeasures."

In these cases, it is necessary to divide and represent a plurality of rules as shown in FIG.
If rule5 shown in the figure indicates the above basic rule, rule6 is a rule for an additional situation, and its condition part and action part should be described including the same contents as rule5. Become. For this reason, in such a case, the same content must be described in multiple rules.
This is a factor that impairs maintainability, which results in complicated rule management.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the related art, it is possible to handle a rule that defines an action to be executed in accordance with the establishment of a time-series condition.
An object of the present invention is to provide a rule base system, an interpretation execution method, and a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method, which can facilitate management of rules having a hierarchical relationship.

[0019]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a rule data system according to the present invention comprises a rule-based system which is a basis of an expert system for interpreting and executing accumulated rules to support decision making. A rule is formed by a group of conditions to be satisfied by a rule established in a time series, and a group of actions to be executed when the group of conditions is satisfied.

According to the present invention, a rule is formed by a group of conditions to be satisfied by a rule established in a time series and a group of actions to be executed when the group of conditions is satisfied. It can handle rules that specify actions to be performed according to the fulfillment of sequential conditions,
Management of rules having a hierarchical relationship can be facilitated.

[0021] The rule data system according to the next invention is the rule compiler according to the above invention, wherein the rule compiler generates a network structure that can be processed by a computer based on the rules described by the condition group and the action group. A rule base for storing the generated intermediate language and a rule interpreter for inputting data into the rule base and executing interpretation are provided.

According to the present invention, a network structure that can be processed by the computer is generated by the rule compiler based on the rules described by the condition group and the action group, and the generated intermediate language is stored in the rule base. Since data is entered into the rule base and interpreted and executed by the rule interpreter, the interpreted execution of such rules can be performed efficiently.

A rule data system according to the next invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the rule interpreter interprets and executes in response to a call from a process described by a predetermined general-purpose program.

According to the present invention, the rule interpreter interprets and executes in response to a call from a process described by a predetermined general-purpose program.
The rule interpreter can function efficiently from an external program (process) described in a language or C ++ language.

A rule data system according to the next invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a rule editing means for adding a new rule to the rule base and editing a rule in the rule base is further provided.

According to the present invention, since a new rule is added to the rule base and a rule in the rule base is edited, the user can update the rules in the rule base as necessary. .

The rule data system according to the next invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the rule editing means includes a rule documenting means for documenting the rule in a format visible to a user.

According to the present invention, since the rules are documented in a format that can be visually recognized by the user, inconsistency between the rule document referred to by the user and the rules in the rule base can be avoided. .

[0029] In the rule data system according to the next invention, in the above invention, the rule editing means includes a test pattern generation means for generating test data that satisfies the rule of the editing result, and inputs the test data to a rule interpreter. Test data input means for confirming the result.

According to the present invention, test data that satisfies the rule of the editing result is generated, and the generated test data is input to the rule interpreter to check the result. Can be evaluated.

In the rule data system according to the next invention, in the above invention, the rule editing means includes a rule hierarchy display means for hierarchically displaying rule groups according to a semantic hierarchical relationship of the rules, An upper rule citing means for citing the contents of the condition part and the action part of the upper rule by the lower rule is provided.

According to the present invention, the rule group is displayed hierarchically according to the semantic hierarchical relation of the rule, and the contents of the condition part and the action part of the rule higher in the hierarchy are cited by the lower rule. Therefore, the rule base can be efficiently managed in accordance with the semantic relation of the rules, and the definition of a new rule becomes easy.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a rule-based system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, the concept of the rule-based system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule handled by the rule base system according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, this rule has a block part starting with one or a plurality of "block" keywords, and each block part is formed by a condition part and an action part, respectively. The contents described in the condition part and the action part are the same as the conventional rules. That is, the first action section can be executed on condition that the first condition section is satisfied, and the second action section is satisfied when the first condition section and the second condition section are satisfied and the first action section has been executed. It becomes executable on condition that it is.

Next, the procedure for interpreting and executing the rule shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for interpreting and executing a rule according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that the one shown in FIG. 1 is an extension of the conventional Rete network in accordance with the rules of the present embodiment, and shows a case where it is associated with the rules shown in FIG.

Each condition part in the rule is handled in the same manner as the conventional Rete algorithm, and a tag indicating the end of the block is attached to the two-input node 21 for merging the last condition of each block part of the condition. , Indicating that the corresponding action part has become executable.

Further, in the conventional Rete network,
In the input node, the data is sent to the subsequent two input nodes on condition that all the preceding condition parts are satisfied. However, in this interpretation execution procedure, after the tagged action is executed, To the two input nodes.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, after the various conditions of the first block are satisfied and each action of the first block is executed, the condition of the second block is evaluated and the action is executed. As a result, it is possible to process rules in chronological order of satisfaction of conditions. At this time, the user
As shown in FIG. 1, a series of definitions can be described as one set of rules, so that there is no need to define and manage a plurality of rules as in the related art, and rule management becomes easier.

Next, the system configuration of the rule base system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a rule base system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the rule base system reads a rule described in a text file 32 in the format shown in FIG. 1 and generates a network structure shown in FIG.
A rule base 33 for storing a network structure, a rule interpreter 34 for performing interpretation using the rule base 12, and a user interface for starting the rule compiler 31, inputting data to the rule interpreter 34, and displaying results from the rule interpreter 34. 35.

More specifically, the rule compiler 31 reads rules written in text one by one from the rule text 32, converts them into a network form as shown in FIG. If there is, complete the network by integrating those parts.

The rule interpreter 34 inputs the data input through the user interface 35 to the rule base 33, performs a process of interpreting and executing which rule is matched, and outputs a result of the finally executed action. It is displayed on the user interface 35.

As described above, in the rule base system according to the present embodiment, the rule compiler 31
While reading rules one by one from the rule text 32 and converting them into a network form, if there are common conditions in a plurality of rules, the parts are integrated to complete the network,
The rule interpreter 34 has a user interface 35
When the data has been received through the user interface 35, the data is input into the rule base 33, a process for interpreting and executing which rule matches is performed, and the result of the finally executed action is displayed on the user interface 35. Since the display is configured to be displayed, it is possible to handle (1) a rule that defines an action to be performed in accordance with the establishment of a time-series condition, and (2) to easily manage the rule.

Embodiment 2 By the way, in the first embodiment, the case where data is input via the user interface 35 has been described. However, the rule base system can be operated in cooperation with an external program. Thus, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which this rule base system is operated in cooperation with an external program.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the rule base system according to the second embodiment.
For convenience of explanation, the same parts as those of the rule base system shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the rule base system has a system configuration in which an external program interface 41 is provided instead of the user interface 35 shown in FIG.

The external program interface 41
A collection of interfaces for using the rule base system from an external program 42 written in a language or the like. Specifically, loading rules, inputting data via the rule interpreter 34, obtaining results, etc. Perform Therefore, the rule base 33 can be used from the external program 42 via the external program interface 41.

Next, a case where this rule base system is applied to a network management system will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration when the rule base system shown in FIG. 4 is applied to a network management system.

As shown in the figure, in this network management system, a network management program 51 is provided as an external program 42, and this network management program 51 is connected to a device A, a device B and a device C via a management target network 52. Is connected.

The network management program 51 manages the management target network 52 by using the various functions of the rule base 33 according to the present invention through the external program interface 41.

Here, in a general network management system, the devices A,
When a message based on a predetermined protocol is received from B, C or a sub-network and the content is displayed on a computer screen, or when the message indicates any trouble or abnormality,
Has the ability to present a solution.

In this network management system, by using the above-mentioned rule-based system, when the message A is received from the device A, the contents are displayed on the screen, and when the message B is received from the device B, A rule that defines the occurrence of a failure and its treatment in a chronological order, such as "presenting the contents and solution of failure C assuming that failure C has occurred," can be used.

Next, a case will be described in which this rule-based system is applied to a disaster countermeasure planning system which presents necessary countermeasures when a disaster or the like occurs. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration when the rule-based system shown in FIG. 4 is applied to a disaster countermeasure planning system.

As shown in the figure, this disaster countermeasure planning system is provided with a disaster countermeasure planning program 61 as an external program 42.
However, while collecting device information and earthquake information via the disaster information network 62, it is configured to contact various places.

More specifically, in this disaster countermeasure planning system, various types of information related to a disaster are received from an external information resource, and appropriate countermeasure items are listed. For this reason, the disaster countermeasure planning program 61 uses various functions of the rule base 33 according to the present invention by the external program interface 41 and various systems (weather information, earthquake information, etc.) connected to the disaster information network 62 which is an information resource. Information and other information from each district, etc.) to plan disaster countermeasures.

For example, "If an earthquake of seismic intensity 5 occurs, the situation is reported to the prefecture in the corresponding area, and if the tsunami is continuously reported, the situation is reported to neighboring prefectures." In this way, it is possible to use rules that specify measures for disaster information sent in chronological order.

Embodiment 3 By the way, in the first and second embodiments, the description of the rule editing is omitted, and in this embodiment, a rule base system having a rule editing function will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the rule-based system according to the third embodiment. For convenience of explanation, FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as the respective parts of the rule base system shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the rule base system has a system configuration in which a rule editing device 71 is added to the rule base system shown in FIG. The rule editing device 71 is a device used when a user edits an already registered rule or newly defines a new rule, and provides a user with a graphical user interface for editing a rule.

FIG. 8 shows the rule editing device 71 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display on the screen of FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, here, the rule editing device 71 provides a menu for creating a new rule, reading existing data from the rule base, and saving an edited result in the rule base. The case where it has on a screen is shown.

More specifically, the conditions and actions of each block are shown in a table in the center of the screen, and the contents of the rules are defined by the user writing predetermined conditions and actions in each cell. In addition, it is assumed that the input area for conditions and actions can be added and deleted similarly to commercially available spreadsheet software.

The rule editing device 71 can also provide "remarks" or the like as supplementary information. When information such as remarks is added, the rule syntax is slightly expanded and FIG. Describe as shown in (b).

In the figure, “no” is added after each block.
It is assumed that the edited result of the remark can be described in the sentence as "te". Such additional content does not affect the execution of the rule base 33, but is used to explain the user's memorandum and the intention of the rule. Is saved, so
Even if the user does not understand the syntax of the rule as shown in FIG. 1, the rule base 33 can be easily updated as needed.

Embodiment 4 Next, the rule base 33
A rule-based system that can document the rules therein in a printable format is described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the rule base system according to the fourth embodiment. For convenience of explanation, FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as the respective parts of the rule base system shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the rule base system has a system configuration in which a specification creating device 91 is added to the rule base system shown in FIG. When the rule editing device 71 finishes editing the rules, the specification generating device 91 not only updates the rules in the rule base 33 through the rule compiler 31 but also edits the rules into a predetermined format as shown in FIG. This device documents rules in a form that can be printed on a paper document by embedding each element of the resulting rules.

FIG. 10 shows the specification generation device 91 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an output format according to the first embodiment. A header section 101 showing an outline of a rule shown in FIG. 3 includes a rule name, a creator name, a date, remarks, and the like obtained from an edited result. In the main body 102, the definition contents of conditions and actions of each block are listed.

It should be noted that such a format is to be uniquely determined for each system, and can be defined using a known technique. For example, if the rules are defined in the html language widely used on the Internet and the generated documents are arranged on a WWW server based on a predetermined method, the contents of the rules can be referred to by a general WWW browser.

As described above, by using the specification creating apparatus 91 according to the present embodiment, the contents of the rules are documented in an easy-to-read format, so that the user can refer to the existing rules. Also, since these rules are usually created with reference to various documents that specify the way of doing business, updating the original documents and rules may result in inconsistencies between the two. In the base system, the rule base 33 and a document referred to by a human are generated from the editing result of the rule editing device 71, so that both can be unified to avoid inconsistency.

Embodiment 5 Next, a rule base system capable of generating and inputting a test pattern will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the rule base system according to the fifth embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same parts as those of the rule base system shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the rule base system has a system configuration in which a test pattern generation device 111 and a test pattern input device 112 are added to the rule base system shown in FIG.

The test pattern generation device 111 is a device that receives data edited by the rule editing device 71, generates pseudo data corresponding to the rule conditions, and stores the data in the rule base 33 together with the rules.

The user interprets the test pattern generated using the test pattern input device 112 into the rule interpreter 34 in order to evaluate the validity of the rule edited by the user.
And the rule-based system processes the test pattern as if it were normal data.

For this reason, the user can confirm the behavior of the rule by using the generated test pattern, so that the validity of the rule edited by the user can be easily evaluated.

Embodiment 6 FIG. Next, the rule base 33
A rule-based system capable of hierarchically displaying a list of rule names hierarchically registered in the rule base system will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the rule base system according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of the rule hierarchy editing device 121 shown in FIG. For convenience of explanation, the same parts as those of the rule base system shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, this rule base system has a system configuration in which a rule hierarchy editing device 121 is added in place of the rule editing device 71 of the rule base system shown in FIG. The rule hierarchy editing device 121
This is a device for hierarchically displaying a list of rule names hierarchically registered in the rule base 33.

The rule hierarchy editing device 121 shown in FIG.
Has a table of contents display section 131 showing an area for hierarchically displaying a list of rule names hierarchically registered in the rule base 33 as shown in FIG. Note that the rule hierarchy indicates that the lower rule has some dependency on the higher rule. For example, as shown in FIG.
If rule1 stipulates "Response to an earthquake", rule1-1 is "Earthquake occurs and 10
More detailed rules can be hierarchically shown by indicating "when 0 or more people appear".

In the rule hierarchy editing device 121, a user can newly add a rule subordinate to a certain rule by operating the displayed tree by mouse operation or the like. At this time, FIG.
, Each rule is assigned a heading number 132.

For example, when a new item is added under “1.rule1”, a heading number such as “1.1.” Is assigned. When any item in the table of contents display section 131 is selected, the selected rule is displayed. Is displayed on the right side of the screen. The display contents are substantially the same as those shown in FIG. 8, and the user updates the rule contents by operating the contents.

Here, when a new rule item is added as described above, it is displayed on the right side of the screen in a form in which the definition of the upper rule is cited. For example, when "1.1." Is newly added, the definition content of "1.rule1", which is the higher level, is displayed.

However, in order to indicate that the content displayed here is inheritance from a higher order, as shown in FIG. 13, a quotation display unit 1 indicating that the display item is a quotation from a higher order.
33 are provided. Here, if the displayed condition or action is quoted from the higher rank, it was decided to put a circle,
Any display mode may be used as long as it can be identified by the user.

The user further clarifies the rule by adding a condition or an action, or deleting or changing a quoted part. Since the changed citation location is no longer a citation, the content displayed in the citation display section is deleted.

As described above, by using the rule base system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to manage the rule base in accordance with the semantic relation of rules, Recognition of points to be performed becomes easy. In addition, since the upper definition can be cited by the lower definition, the definition of a new rule becomes easier. Furthermore, if this embodiment is used in combination with the fourth embodiment already described, a table of contents of the rule can be generated from the table of contents display section 131, and a more usable document can be generated.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, a rule is defined by a group of conditions to be satisfied by a rule established in time series and a group of actions to be executed when the group of conditions is satisfied. Because it is configured to form, a rule base that can handle rules that specify actions to be executed according to the establishment of chronological conditions, and that can easily manage rules that have a hierarchical relationship An effect is obtained that a system can be obtained.

According to the next invention, a network structure that can be processed by a computer is generated by a rule compiler based on rules described by a condition group and an action group, and the generated intermediate language is stored in a rule base. Since data is input to the rule base and interpreted and executed by the rule interpreter, there is an effect that a rule base system that can efficiently execute the interpreted execution of the rule is obtained.

According to the next invention, the rule interpreter interprets and executes in response to a call from a process described in a predetermined general-purpose program. Therefore, an external program described in C language, C ++ language, or the like can be used. This has the effect of obtaining a rule-based system that allows the rule interpreter to function efficiently from (process).

According to the next invention, since a new rule is added to the rule base and a rule in the rule base is edited, the user can update the rules in the rule base as necessary. An effect is obtained that a rule-based system that can be obtained is obtained.

According to the next invention, the rule is documented in a format that can be visually recognized by the user. Therefore, it is possible to avoid inconsistency between the rule document referred to by the user and the rule in the rule base. An effect is obtained that a rule-based system that can be obtained is obtained.

According to the next invention, test data that satisfies the rule of the editing result is generated, and the generated test data is input to the rule interpreter to check the result. Therefore, the validity of the generated rule is checked. There is an effect that a rule-based system that can be easily evaluated is obtained.

According to the next invention, rule groups are displayed hierarchically according to the semantic hierarchical relationship of rules, and the lower-level rules quote the contents of the condition part and action part of the higher-level rule in the hierarchy. With such a configuration, the rule base can be efficiently managed in accordance with the semantic relation of the rules, and a rule base system that can easily define a new rule is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rule handled by a rule base system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure of interpreting and executing a rule according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a rule base system according to the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a rule-based system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration when the rule base system shown in FIG. 4 is applied to a network management system.

6 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration when the rule base system shown in FIG. 4 is applied to a disaster countermeasure planning system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a rule base system according to a third embodiment;

8 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a screen of the rule editing device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a rule-based system according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output format by the specification generation device illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a rule base system according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a rule base system according to a sixth embodiment;

13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of the rule hierarchy editing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining rules used in the related art and an interpretation execution method thereof.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a rule used in the conventional technology.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of a rule used in the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

31 Rule Compiler, 32 Rule Text, 33
Rule base, 34 rule interpreter, 35 user interface, 41 external program interface, 42 external program, 51 network management program, 52 managed network, 61 disaster recovery planning program, 62 disaster information network, 71
Rule editing apparatus, 91 specification generation apparatus, 101 header section, 102 main body section, 111 test pattern generation apparatus, 112 test pattern input apparatus, 121 rule hierarchy editing apparatus, 131 table of contents display section, 132 index number, 133 citation display section

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A rule-based system that forms a basis of an expert system that supports decision-making by interpreting and executing accumulated rules.
A rule-based system wherein a rule is formed by an action group executed when the condition group is satisfied. 2. A rule compiler that generates a network structure that can be processed by a computer based on rules described by the condition group and the action group; a rule base that stores an intermediate language generated by the rule compiler; The rule base system according to claim 1, further comprising: a rule interpreter that inputs data into the rule base and executes interpretation. 3. The rule-based system according to claim 2, wherein said rule interpreter interprets and executes in response to a call from a process described in a predetermined general-purpose program. 4. The rule base system according to claim 2, further comprising a rule editing unit for adding a new rule to the rule base and editing a rule in the rule base. 5. The rule base system according to claim 4, wherein said rule editing means includes a rule documenting means for documenting said rules in a format visible to a user. 6. The rule editing means includes: a test pattern generating means for generating test data satisfying a rule of an editing result; and a test data inputting means for inputting the test data into a rule interpreter and confirming the result. The rule-based system according to claim 4, wherein 7. The rule editing means includes: a rule hierarchy display means for hierarchically displaying rule groups according to a semantic hierarchical relationship of the rules; and a rule part and an action part of a rule higher in the hierarchy. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a higher rule citing means for citing the lower rule.
The rule-based system described in.