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Structure of Expert Systems

Knowledge base

Expert systems differ from other information systems in that they hold knowledge. Knowledge is not the same as data or information because it is active and can generate new understanding. It consists not only of data and information but interrelationships, consequences and predictions. Someone who is very knowledgeable in a specific field is known as an expert.

While knowledge in humans is gained by learning, experience and experimentation, knowledge in a computer is often represented by rules. The knowledge base contains the facts and rules or knowledge of the expert. Below is an example of how IF THEN rules might be applied in our Animal-ID expert system.

IF animal has backbone
THEN vertebrate

IF animal is vertebrate
AND has hair
THEN mammal

IF animal is mammal
AND has pointed teeth
AND has claws
THEN carnivore

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