Information Technology IT – 7 Expert systems | e-Consult

A rule base in an expert system is a collection of rules that represent the system's knowledge. Each rule typically consists of two parts:

Example of a rule:

IF the patient has a cough AND the patient has a fever THEN the patient may have a cold.

The antecedent is the condition (or premise) that must be true for the rule to be applied. The consequent is the conclusion (or action) that is taken if the antecedent is true.

The rule-based approach is significant because it allows for:

• Representing complex knowledge in a clear and understandable way. Rules are often expressed in a language that is relatively easy for humans to comprehend.
• Easy modification and extension of the knowledge base. New rules can be added or existing rules can be modified without significantly affecting the rest of the system.
• Handling uncertainty and incomplete information. Rules can be designed to handle situations where not all information is available.
• Providing explanations for conclusions. The reasoning process can be traced through the rules that were applied.