Expert Systems Design and Development : Using VP-Expert Includes Version 2.0 Software

A hands-on introduction to designing expert systems using the latest version of the one of the most popular commercial expert systems shells available, VP-Expert 2.0. Includes an educational version of the powerful, commercial VP-Expert software package. Step-by-step approach makes learning expert system design easy. VP-Expert 2.0 features backward and forward chaining, inductive front end, confidence factors, and an easy-to-use interface. Includes illustrative examples and exercises.

Expert Systems Design and Development Using VP-Expert Expert systems are being used more and more frequently in all types of decision support and analysis situations. Now, with this new text/software package from Wiley, you can access the explosive field of expert systems quickly and easily. Expert Systems Design and Development Using VP-Expert 2.0 is a practical, inexpensive, hands-on introduction to expert systems featuring an educational version of a powerful, easy-to-use, commercially successful expert systems development tool — VP-Expert 2.0. Some of the most important features of this exciting new software are as follows:

• Includes a built-in text editor for rule development, or allows you to use any word processor that creates ASCII files.
• Inductive Front End creates If-Then rules directly from examples in data files from programs such as VP-Info, VP-Planner, VP-Planner Plus, 1-2-3, dBASE (II, III, or III+), as well as from examples in ASCII files.
• Inference Engine uses backward and forward chaining in the problem-solving process.
• Scientific Precision features floating-point arithmetic and trigonometric functions.
• Confidence Factors allow assignment of confidence levels to each conclusion and user response as well as confidence thresholds.
• Text and Graphic Tracing records the logic sequence followed during a consultation with the expert system, and displays the results in a text or graphic tree.
• External Program Calls execute COM, EXE, and BAT files. Executes VP-Planner or VP-Planner Plus from a consultation.

VP-Expert 2.0, moreover, has a whole host of new commands which add to the program’s power and ease of use. Now, consider a remarkably clear and concise text which leads you through examples and exercises, enabling you to learn by doing and to expand your knowledge to more complex expert systems as you become more skilled with VP-Expert. Combine all of this in one inexpensive package, and you have a tool unequaled in quality and utility!