Data communication between an expert system shell and a conventional algorithmic program with application to cam motion specification

Abstract

Abstract. Although more and more expert system shells have begun to provide communication interlaces to conventional procedural languages, the interlaces are basically shell-and language-dependent. This paper presents a simple, shell-and language-independent data communication technique between a shell and a procedural language via a concept analogous to the handshake data transmission used in microprocessors. A control file is used for the action of handshake. The communication interlace is between two data files in two different language environments. A program written in a LISP-based expert system shell, OPS 5, and one written in a procedural language, FORTRAN, were tested to verify the presented technique.An expert system for cam motion specification, which needs the following three tasks-symbolic representation, numerical computation, and their communication-is described as one of the possible applications of the technique. These three tasks are essential to automated engineering design and analysis.