A cooperative information system to support multi-expert systems development

摘要

The development of a multi-expert system (MES) is obviously a team project. This paper shows how database technology can actively and cooperatively support the development and design of a multi-expert system. The proposed solution is based on an Active and Deductive DataBase (ADDB). An extensional database records and maintains information about the project and its evolution. An intensional database, defined by a set of rules, coordinates and controls the activity of the different actors, and models relevant views on the project. This rule base can be fired automatically when an interesting event occurs and consequently either informs the members of the team concerned by this event (beginning of a new step, creation of a new product, modification of a knowledge base, etc.), or triggers another activity, or invokes other tools. This rule base can also be executed explicitly to provide its user (experts, developers, the project manager, etc.) with cooperative information concerning the project. This cooperative information improves the visibility and the intelligibility of the project and knowledge reuse.