GUIDELINES ON IMPROVING THE MAINTAINABILITY AND CONSULTATION OF RULE-BASED EXPERT SYSTEMS

This paper deals with the issues of maintenance and consultation of rule-based expert systems. General approaches to knowledge-base design to improve the maintainability of expert systems are reviewed. The paper focuses on guidelines on developing rules to improve the maintainability and consultation. Existing guidelines are presented, some guidelines expanded, and new ones proposed. The concept of cohesive rule is introduced by applying the principle of functional cohesion to development of rules. The paper also examines the problem of redundant questions during consultation and presents guidelines to minimize the problem.