A guide to expert systems

the long version

Expert systems are sophisticated computer programs that manipulate knowledge to solve problems efficiently and effectively in a narrow problem area. Like real human experts, these systems use symbolic logic and heuristics--rules of thumb--to find solutions. Like real experts, they make mistakes but have the capacity to learn from their errors. This artificial expertise has some advantages over human expertise: it is permanent, consistent, easy to transfer and document, and cheaper. In sum, by linking the power of computers to the richness of human experience, expert systems enhance the value of expert knowledge by making it readily and widely accessible.