EXPERT SYSTEMS VS. CONVENTIONAL PROGRAM
APPLICATIONS —-> BETTER THAN HUMANLY
POSSIBLE
The basic idea is that if a human expert can specify the steps of reasoning, by
which a problem may be solved, so too can an expert system.
Expert systems are able to achieve a dramatically improved level of performance
for tasks that require a highly specialized level of knowledge and training. Therefore,
the commercial value of an expert system lies in new revenue building, rather than
replacing people.
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One of the most powerful attributes of an expert system is the ability to understand
how it reached a decision including the factors considered when making a recommendation.
Expert Systems:
- Use a heuristic search [implicit steps] rather than an algorithmic search [explicit
steps] – this speeds up the process of finding a “good enough solution” when an
exhaustive search is impractical
- Satisfactory answers are usually acceptable,
- Some incorrect answers are tolerable
- Perform knowledge and decision reasoning tasks vs. performing programmed step-by-step
procedures
- Employ a Knowledge-base vs. a Simple database
- Uses stored knowledge information for conclusions vs. only providing discrete facts
about a subject
- Separate the control structure from the domain knowledge (information) so when format/structures
change, processing continues without complications or interruptions
- Encode expertise in data structures [inference rules] vs. encoding expertise in
both the program and data structures so rules can be modified without rebuilding
the program
- Simplify the modifications and expand the rule sets
- Rules are easier for (non-programmer) experts to create and modify vs. writing program
code
Expert Systems are typically very complex applications used by the medical and scientific
research industries. What Cognasys has succeeded in doing is developing a unique,
“simplified” expert system that focuses on the processing of business transactions.
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