Model-directed learning of production rules

The Meta-DENDRAL program is described in general terms that are intended to clarify the similarities and differences to other learning programs. Its approach of model-directed heuristic search through a comptex space of possible rules appears well suited to many induction tasks. The use of a strong model of the domain to direct time rule Eearch has been demons{rated for rule formation in two areas of chemistry. The high performance of programs which use the generated rules attests to the success of this learning strategy.