Experiences from a Prolog-based environment for modelling and simulation: an example of the application of logic programming in control engineering

The paper describes the use of Prolog in the implementation of a Knowledge-based Environment for Modelling and Simulation (KEMS). The basis of the implementation is the AI frame paradigm which provides a conceptual foundation for the design of the model base, the simulation code generator and the knowledge acquisition module which are the Prolog-based components of KEMS. The experiences derived from KEMS provide a springboard from which the wider applications of logic programming in control engineering are discussed. Six application areas are identified, including modelling, the design of front-ends for CAD packages, the design of object-oriented databases, the prototyping of engineering concepts, knowledge-based control and the design of decision-support systems