OBJECT-ORIENTED KNOWLEDGE FRAMEWORKS

This paper introduces a strategy for the construction of object-oriented knowledge frameworks. Global control programs, which are traditionally used for manipulating structured representations, have been replaced by domain-specific resources. A theoretical foundation is laid for the representation of knowledge, starting with the adoption of a simple schema for structuring stereotypical information. Editors are introduced for the alteration of data primitives used in declarative representation. Algorithms, which operate on these data primitives, are given for frame instantiation, data access, and user-directed inference. Examples from structural engineering are used throughout the paper.