TOWARDS AN OBJECT-ORIENTED LOGIC FRAMEWORK FOR KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS

This article presents an object-oriented logic framework, I,KO, for th e dependable development of knowledge based systems. Based on logical objects which are viewed as abstractions with states, constraints, beh aviors and nonmonotonic inheritance, a hybrid knowledge representation amalgamating rule, frame, semantics network and blackboard is availab le for both most structured end flat knowledge and requirements of kno wledge based systems. After the iterations of specification modificati on and verification in terms of knowledge acquisition activities, prot otypes are correctly formed. The LKO methodology, applying the concept s of rapid prototyping, top-down design and object-orientation, is des igned to deal with changing and incomplete requirements and to provide multiple abstract models of the domain, where formal methods might be used at each abstract level. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.