MRL: a real-time rule-based production system

The response time analysis of rule-based expert systems is discussed. The rule-based production system MRL (macro-rule-based language) is introduced. MRL has been designed to facilitate more accurate analysis of the response times of programs while maintaining the flexibility and expressiveness of traditional production systems such as OPS5. Research on modular analysis of rule-based systems is described. Several timing analysis algorithms based on this approach have been developed. One of them, a fixed-point detection algorithm is discussed to show that efficient and effective analysis of MRL programs can be achieved. In particular, a general technique called the transfer principle is introduced for exploiting analysis algorithms which are simpler to analyze. The design of the match algorithm Rhyme, an algorithm uniquely suited for more accurate analysis of the performance of real-time expert systems, is presented