An overview of Knowledge Representation

Abstract

This is a brief overview of terminology and issues related to Knowledge Representation (here-after KR) research, intended primarily for researchers working on Semantic Data Models within Database Management and Program Specifications within Programming Languages/Software Engineering. Knowledge Representation is a central problem in Artificial Intelligence (AI) today. Its importance stems from the fact that the current design paradigm for “intelligent” systems stresses the need for expert knowledge in the system along with associated knowledge-handling facilities. This paradigm is in sharp contrast to earlier ones which might be termed “power-oriented” [Goldstein and Papert 77] in that they placed an emphasis on general purpose heuristic search techniques [Nilsson 71].