An evaluation and selection methodology for expert system shells

摘要

This article illustrates an evaluation and selection methodology for expert system (ES) shells. The methodology incorporates three stages: (1) ES shell screaning, (2) shell evaluation, and (3) assurance of final ES shell selection. Initially, developing a short list through screening of commercial shell products determines whether appropriate software exists and narrows the field of available expert system software products for detailed consideration. The second stage determines which of the remaining ES shells (the finalists) best meets the needs of the organization, from both functional and technical perspectives. The final stage compares user requirements with the features of the selected ES software by defining how these requirements will be satisfied by building expert system applications with the selected product. The methodology also considers the possibility that, at any stage of the process, no expert system shell is suitable and that a system must be developed with programming languages such as LISP, PROLOG, or some conventional programming language.