Rule subsumption in object bases

Coincident with the arrival of methodologies specific to knowledge based systems, there has been a realisation that such knowledge based systems frequently form part of larger information systems. Therefore, a single method for building general information systems that incorporates knowledge based components is preferable. The most popular methods in use today are based upon object-oriented modelling. In this paper, the technique of incorporating knowledge, in the form of subsumed rules as first class objects into object bases is introduced. Aspects of the research are examined using a simple prototype, while other issues pertaining to the research are presented.