Problem solving using expert system techniques

There are basically two approaches to problem solving currently used in expert systems: the derivation approach and the formation approach. The derivation approach involves deriving a solution that is most appropriate for the problem at hand from a list of predefined solutions stored in the knowledge base of the expert system. The formation approach involves forming a solution from the eligible solution components stored in the knowledge base. This paper begins with a description of a subset of the problem solving strategies used in expert systems and how these strategies support the derivation or formation approach. This is followed by the description of a structural design problem and its implementation using first a formation approach and then a derivation approach. Finally, some comments and conclusions are provided.