B. Chandrasekaran, Generic Tasks as Building Blocks for Knowledge-Based Systems: The Diagnosis and Routine Design Examples. Knowledge Engineering Review, 3 (3), 1988.

Author of the summary: J. William Murdock, 1997, murdock@cc.gatech.edu

Cite this paper for:

• "The level of abstraction of much of the work in knowledge-based systems (the rule, frame, logic level) is too low to provide a rich enough vocabulary of knowledge and control.... Knowledge systems should be built out of building blocks each of which is appropriate for a basic type of problem solving."

Keywords: Task, Knowledge

Systems: The GT Tools, including CSRL (Conceptual Structures
Representation Language), DSPL (Design Specialists and Plans
Language), et al.

Summary: Argues that "building blocks" of cognition are needed.
Describes a set of programs for a particular set of basic tasks:
hierarchical classification, hypothesis matching (recognition),
knowledge-directed information passing (induction), synthesis by plan
selection and refinement (design), abductive hypothesis assembly
(combination of explanation).  Argues that these tasks can be viewed
as components of existing monolithic systems (but without the
modularity found in GT).  Also asserts that this list is not
considered to be comprehensive.  Elaborately presents specific large
tasks as syntheses of these generic tasks: diagnosis and routine
design.  Gives an overview of the toolset.  Concludes with a
discussion of related research and open issues (most notably what is
the complete coherent set of GT's).

Summary author's notes:

• This summary came from a file which had the following disclaimer: "The following summaries are the completely unedited and often hastily composed interpretations of a single individual without any sort of systematic or considered review. As such it is very likely that at least some of the following text is incomplete, inadequate, misleading, or simply wrong. One might view this as a very preliminary draft of a survey paper that will probably never be completed. The author disclaims all responsibility for the accuracy or use of this document; this is not an official publication of the Georgia Institute of Technology or the College of Computing thereof, and the opinions expressed here may not even fully match the fully considered opinions of the author much less the general opinions of the aformentioned organizations."