Fuzzy second-generation expert system design for IE/OR/MS

Limitations on the representation of knowledge, and hence the inference methods, naturally limit the domains of the first-generation expert systems. In response to these limitations, fuzzy expert systems or the second-generation of expert systems provide two essential and unique advantages in the design, development, and implementation of expert systems: (1) fuzzy knowledge representation and (2) fuzzy inference methods. It is suggested that second-generation expert systems be designed and implemented with the expressive powers of representation and improved inference methods based on fuzzy logic. A number of research topics and application areas are identified