AI Languages

CLOS Common LISP Object System - An object oriented extension to Common LISP (a dialect
of LISP).
LISP A programming language that manipulates lists of data which led to its heavy use in AI
applications.
Logic Programming A type of programming consisting of facts and relationships from which
the programming language can draw a conclusion.
Prolog A declarative programming language based on formal logic. Widely used in AI
applications.
For More Info on AI Programming Languages

Blackboard Technology
Blackboard A hierarchically organized database that allows information to flow both in and
out from the knowledge sources.
CRYSALIS A blackboard based project (1976-1983) to build a system for determining the
location of a protein's atoms in space relative to each other using X-ray data.
GBB Generalized object-oriented shell for building high-performance blackboard applications.
(See Knowledge Technologies International)
Knowledge Sources The independent modules containing information pertaining to a single
part of the problem with each module using the technology best suited for solving that part of the
problem.
KSAR Knowledge Source Activation Record representing a specific knowledge source action
that is initiated by a specific blackboard event.
Control Module A process or program that monitors or schedules all knowledge sources and
selects the one that best meets the criteria and the current time.
HASP Uses blackboard technology to process real-time sonar signals (1982).
HEARSAY-II The first blackboard system evolving between 1971-1976 for speech
understanding of single spoken words out of a list of 1,000.
OPM This blackboard application planned multiple-task actions given conflicting goals and
constraints.
For More Info on Blackboard Technology

C++ Programming Language

Classes A category that generally describes a group of more specific items or objects.
Inheritance The ability of a class to pass on characteristics and data to its decendants.
Polymorphism The ability to define a base class that includes routines that perform standard
operations on groups of related objects without worrying about the exact data type of the object.
Scope There are 4 types of scope: local - names local to the current block; function - labels can
be used anywhere in the function they are declared; file - name declared outside all blocks and
classes and therefore gobal; class - the name of a class member is local to its own class and
can't be used outside of that class.
For More Info on the C++ Programming Language

Client/Server
Client-Server Architecture An arrangement used on local area networks that makes use of
"distributed intelligence" to treat both the server and the individual workstations as intelligent,
programmable devices, thus exploiting the full computing power of each.
Client Software The computer requesting the use of resources on another systems.
Server A computer that provides a service.
For More Info on Client Server

Creative Thinking
Creativity Terms Follow the link on the left to find a list of creativity terms.
For More Info on Creative Thinking

Data Warehouse and Data Mining

Data Mining Extraction of useful information from data sets. Data mining serves to find
information that is hidden within the available data.
Data Warehouse An information repository from which queries and analysis may be made.
KDD Knowledge Discovery in Databases. A synonym for data mining.
For More Info on Data Warehouse and Data Mining

Decision Support
Decision Support System A program data which assist in analysis and decision-making.
Dempster-Shafer Theory A belief maintenance system that considers evidence from a
number of sources, maintains information on the evidence, and combines the pieces of evidence
to produce a decision.

Dylan Programming Language

Dylan Glossary Hypertext glossary of Dylan terms from Harlequin Inc.
For More Info on the Dylan Programming Language

Distributed Computing
Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) Computer networking environment that consists
of many integrated components working together.
Middleware Also called "enabling technology." It means that the component is not intended
to exist alone. The DCE is middleware.
Secure Core Refers to the Threads, Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Cell Directory Service
(CDS), Security Service, and Distributed Time Service (DTS) components of a DCE.
For More Info on Distributed Computing

Expert Systems
Backward Chaining A problem-solving procedure that starts with a statement and a set of
rules leading to the statement and then works backward, matching the rules with information from
a database of facts until the statement can be either verified or proven wrong.
Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) A problem-solving system that relies on stored representations of
previously solved problems and their solutions.
Expert System A type of application program that makes decisions or solves problems in a
particular field by using knowledge and analytical rules defined by experts in the field.
Expert System Shell A software package that facilitate the building of knowledge-based
systems by providing a knowledge representation scheme and an inference engine. The
developer adds domain knowledge.
Forward Chaining A problem solving procedure that starts with a set of rules and a
database of facts and works to a conclusion based on facts that match all the premises set forth
in the rules.
If-Then Rule Describes a problem situation and the action an expert would perform in that
situation.
Inference Engine The processing portion of an expert system. With information from the
knowledge-base, the inference engine provides the reasoning ability that derive inferences
(conclusions) on which the expert system acts.
Knowledge Acquisition The gathering of expertise from a human expert for entry into an expert
system.
Knowledge-Based System A system that uses stored knowledge to solve problems in a
specific domain.
Knowledge Representation The notation or formalism used for coding the knowledge to be
stored in a knowledge-based system.
Rule Base A set of If-Then rules.
For More Info on Expert Systems

Forth Programming Language

Dictionary List for words and their definitions -- address and parameters. Almost the entire
Forth program is contained within the dictionary.
RPN Reverse Polish Notation Also called postfix notation, is often used on a stack-based
machines. The values or operands are placed on the data stack and once the operation is
selected, the resulting value is returned on the stack.
Stack Manipulation Operations in a RPN machine are done to values already on the data
stack. Operations such as swap and duplicate allow manipulation of the values on the stack.
Vocabulary This structure contains a list of variables and related words. Words in one
vocabulary may not access to word in other vocabularies thus allowing data hiding. Used as a
command, vocabulary creates a new vocabulary.
Word This is the Forth terminology for a command enabling the hiding data in structures called
vocabularies.
For More Info on the Forth Programming Language

Fuzzy Logic
Fuzzy Associative Memory A software structure that collects fuzzy sets, works with them,
and produces an output that assists in decision making.
Fuzzy Logic A form of logic in which variables can have degrees of truth or falsehood.
Fuzzy Set A set whose elements have degrees of membership.
Membership Function The mathematical function which defines the degree of an element's
membership in a fuzzy set.
For More Info on Fuzzy Logic

General AI Information
AI FAQ Follow the link at the left to find information on general artificial intelligence. See Subject
"1-10" for a list of AI terms.
For More Info on General AI

Genetic Algorithms
Crossover Operation Two parental programs are selected based on fitness. A subtree from
one program is deleted and a subtree from the other program replaces it. Predominant operation
in genetic programming.
Genetic Algorithm An algorithm that mimics evolution and natural selection to solve a
problem.
Mutation Operation Removes a subtree from a single parent program and another tree is
grown in its place through a random growth process.
Reproduction Operation A single program is copied into the next generation.
For More Info on Genetic Algorithms

Help Desk
Call Center Glossary Link to a list of frequently used terms used in call centers.
Help Desk A call center that handles questions about products. The term most often refers
to technical support centers for computers/software.
For More Info on Help Desk

Intelligent Agents
Bot Short for robot, this term is often used interchangeably with "intelligent agent." It is a tool
for sifting through data and can be tailored to perform a specific function (e.g. shopping bot)
Intelligent Agent Software that is given a particular mission, carries out that mission, and
then reports back to the user.
For More Info on Intelligent Agents

Intelligent Applications
None at this time See General AI Terms for more info
For More Info on Intelligent Applications

Internet Terminology
ACK The acknowledgement bit in a TCP packet.
Address The numeric location identifier for devices on a network. Also the textual location
identifier used in transferring email.
Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) Agency that funded some of the initial Internet
development.
Anonymous FTP A file Transfer Protocol enabling users to transfer files from one computer
system to another without having an account on the remote system.
Application Layer That part of the OSI system that manages the communication between
application processes.
Asyncrhonous Transfer Mode (ATM) A network technology designed to make it easy to build
point-to-point high-speed networks.
Archie A search system for locating files that are available throughout anonymous FTP.
Bandwidth The capacity of a nework (bits per second).
Base64 MIME encoding language providing the mapping across different transfer agents.
Baud The number of times per second a signal can change on a transmission line -- often
equivalent to the number of bits per second (bps) being transferred.
Bookmark Local copy of the address of an Internet site that can be used to relocate that
Internet site at a later date.
Bulletin Board Service A service that permits messages to be posted for others to read.
Caching Saving information learned during a previous operation to be used in future
operations.
Connection Logical binding between two or more computers to provide a service.
Cybernaut A person who explores the internet.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Agency that funded some of the
initial Internet development.
Data Link Layer That part of the OSI system that manages framing, transmission, and
error control over a single communication link.
Domain Name System (DNS) An application layer protocol providing the naming capability on
the Internet.
Ethernet 100-million bit-per-second networking scheme used for LAN's.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) An archive of answers to questions most commonly
asked by new users -- therefore reducing the number of repeated questions.
File Transfer, Access and Management (FTAM) OSI file management system.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) An application layer protocol providing file services on the
Internet. These set of rules specify how two computers, often very different, are to transfer files
between each other.
Finger A service provided by Internet to determine who is currently logged into a particular host
or to find out information about other users.
GIF Acronym for Graphics Interchange Format, a file format used to store a graphics image.
Developed by CompuServer.
Gopher A menu-driven search tool for locating files within FTP archives as well as other
resources.
Hits Successful completion of a search or users accessing a site.
Homepage A page of information accessible through a web browser on the World Wide Web.
Host A computer system or computing device on the Internet usually with a unique address.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) Computer language use to define the contents and
format of a hypermedia document read by a Web browser on the WWW.
HyperText Transport Protocol) The protocol used to access documents on the World Wide Web
using Uniform Resource Locator as a reference.
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) A reporting protocol for the IP addressing.
Interactive Mail Access Protocol (IMAP) Application layer protocol providing mail retrieval on the
Internet.
Internet A collection of networks, throughout the world, running a set of protocols referred
to as the Internet Protocols. It has also been referred to as the ARPA net, DARPA Internet,
NSF/DARPA Internet, or the Federal Research Internetwork.
Internet Protocol (IP) The network layer protocol that provides a connectionless-mode network
service.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) A protocol that enables users to interactively communicate using
a keyboard.
IP Address A 32 bit numeric address used to represent a location on the Internet.
Knowbot A master directory that contains email address from the NIC WHOIS database.
ListServ A program that maintains lists of electronic email addresses of people with
common interests. Sending something to that list automatically gets forwarded to everyone on
that list.
Local Area Network (LAN) A collection of computers or computing devices, with in a limited
geographical area, connected together in order to provide communication and data transfers
between the members of the collection.
Mosaic A simple computer program that provides an interactive interface to the World Wide Web,
and other Internet services.
Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) The format for transferring multimedia type file
transfers across the Internet. Since email messages are designed for text data, this format
converts non- text data into a text-based format.
Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs) The format for transferring multimedia type files across the
Internet.
Network File System(NFS) A process developed by Sun Microsystems to allow computers to
communicate and share file systems. A difference between NFS and FTP is that FTP copies the
entire file while NFS only transfers what is needed as it is needed.
Network Information Center (NIC) A facility providing information about the Internet, the
software and services available, as well as the people who supply services. They can be reached
by phone (800)444-4345 or email mailserv@ds.internic.net.
Network Layer That part of the OSI system that manages the data transfer across the network
which remaining independent of the network topologies and media.
Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP) The application layer protocol that provides the
news article transfer service on the Internet.
Network Time Protocol (NTP) A protocol used to maintain a centeral coordination of time on the
hosts around the Internet based on Greenwich Mean Time.
Newsgroup A single special interest group that correspond via email.
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) A set of international agreements to coordinate
communications between computers and networks from different manufactures and technologies.
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) Encryption for email using a public key cryptography.
Physical Layer That part of the OSI system that manages the electro-mechanical interface to the
communications media.
Ping A command that provides a check that a particular host is available and reachable.
Post Office Protocol (POP) Application layer protocol that provides mail retrieval on the
Internet.
PPP
Presentation Layer That part of the OSI system that manages the structure of the data that is
being transferred across the Internet.
Protocols A formal set of rules and descriptions of information formats that allow two
computers to exchange information.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Executing commands on remote host computers.
Request for Comments (RFC) The set of documents used to define the internal workings of
Internet. Proposals are written and then posted via email for general discussions.
Resolve Translation of an Internet Name into its equivalent IP address.
Server A computer that shares its resources with other computers on a network.
Shadowing A process where a copy data is stored on a second system to be used just like
the first system usually to off-load work from the first system.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) Application layer protocol providing submission service
and message transfer on the Internet.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Application layer protocol providing network
management services on the Internet.
Serial Line IP (SLIP) Protocol the enables TCP/IP over a serial communication line such as a
telephone line.
Socket The mapping of a port number to an IP Address.
Subnet A phyiscal network defined within an IP address.
TCP/IP The software that implements the Internet Protocols.
TELNET Application layer protocol providing virtual terminal capability on the Internet.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Transport layer protocol that manages the connection-
based transport service on the Internet.
Transport Layer That part of the OSI system that manages the data transfers across the
network.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) A text-based address used by World Wide Web
browsers to identify a specific page of information.
UNIX A multi-user, multiprocessor operating system developed by AT&T in the early 1970's. It is
the predominant operating system used by the Internet servers but is not required by the user to
access the Internet.
Usenet A set of machines that provides copies of articles grouped by subjects called
newsgroups.
Veronica Very Easy Rodent-Oriented Net-wide Index to Computerized Archives.
Virus A program that can modify other programs by embedding a copy of itself in them or
changing their function, often with disasterous results.
Whois The main domain registration database run by the Registration Services part of the
InterNIC reachable by the 'whois' command.
Wide Area Information Service (WAIS) Generalized system of information retrieval that
accesses collections of data from around the world.
Wide Area Network (WAN) The connection of multiple LAN and computers across large
distances -- often hundreds or thousands of miles.
World Wide Web (WWW) The connection of multiple LAN and computers across large
distances.
For More Info on the Internet

Lisp Programming Language

adjoin A LISP function that adds an element to a set if it is not already there.
atom The most basic building block of LISP consisting of a string of characters beginning with a
letter, digit, or any special character other than a left or right parenthesis. Examples could be
"happy", "red", "Two", "2", "3.14", and so on.
car LISP function that returns the first element of a list where the list cannot be the null-list.
cdr LISP function that returns all elements but the first element of the list.
cons LISP function that takes two arguements, an S-Expression and a list, and creates a new
list with the first element in the new list being the first arguement.
head First element of a list.
intersection A LISP function that takes two sets and returns a set containing only the
elements that were in both of the initial sets.
list A collection of S-Expressions, called elements, enclosed in by parenthese. Examples
could be "(a b c)", "(1, 2, 3)", "(happy, red, Two, 2, 3.14)".
member A LISP function that determines if an element is a member of a set. If it is a
member of the set then it returns the tail of the list beginning with the first element that matches. If
it is not a member of the set then a nil list is returned.
null A special example of an S-Expression that is both an atom and a list. Example "()".
Recursion The ability of a program to call itself which also enables a program to define itself
in terms of itself. This is frequently used to control the programs execution.
sets A collection of elements.
S-Expressions An atom, list, or collection of S-Expressions surrounded by parentheses.
tail A list consisting of all elements of a list except the head or first element.
union A LISP function that takes two sets and returns a set containing all of the elements that
were in either of the original sets with no duplications.
For More Info on the Lisp Programming Language

Logic Programming
Backtracking Occurs when a backward chaining process fails after a choice point. The system
returns to mthe choice point and continues to test clauses.
Backward Chaining The process used to prove goals by comparing the goals to the facts or
rules.
Choice Point A place where a particular clause is chosen.
Clause A collective term for facts and rules.
Logic Programming A programming style based on first-order logic. The system attempts to
prove goals.
Prolog The original logic programming language.
For More Info on Logic Programming

Logo Programming Language

Logo Programming Language A computer language designed to help people learn. It teaches
problem solving and logical thinking. It is a dialect of LISP.
Turtle Originally was a robot controlled by the logo programming language. It eventually moved
into a graphical representation on a computer screen upon which it could still be given directions.
For More Info on the Logo Programming Language

Machine Learning
Still under construction. None at this time.
For More Info on Machine Learning

Miscellaneous
Algorithm A sequence of steps for solving a problem.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) The science of making machines do things which would require
intelligence if they were done by humans.
Accelerator Card A printed circuit board that augments the computer's main
microprocessor.
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) A form of interprocess communication. When two or more
programs that support DDE run simultaneously, they can exchange information and commands.
Dynamic Link Library (DLL) Allows executable routines -- generally serving a specific
function or set of functions -- to be stored separately (as files with DLL extensions) that loaded
only when needed by a program that calls them.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) A type of display format that enables the user to choose
commands, start programs, and see lists of files and other options by pointing to pictorial
representations (icons) and lists of menu items on the screen.
For More Info on General AI terms

Modeling and Simulation

Modeling The use of mathematics to describe a situation or a physical object.
Mathematical formulas can be used to manipulate data, to develop business plans and
projections, or to evaluate the impact of proposed changes on a company's operations and
financial status.
Simulation Using a model to mimic a process.
For More Info on Modeling and Simulation

Multimedia
CD-ROM An acronym for compact disc read-only memory. Uses laser optics for reading
data. High capicity storage.
Hypermedia A system of information storage and retrieval. The information includes video,
sound, or graphics that are integrated into a nonsequential order. The integration of graphics,
sound, and video into an information storage and retrieval.
Hypertext Primarily text information linked together in a nonsequential web of associations
for storage and retrieval.
Multimedia The combination of sound, graphics, animation, and video.
For More Info on Multimedia
Natural Language Processing
Computational Linguistics The engineering of systems that process or analyze written or
spoken natural language.
For More Info on Natural Language Processing

Neural Networks
Adaptive Resonance Theory A two-layer neural net architecture in which information
reverberates back and forth between the layers.
Backpropagation A multilayer feedforward neural net architecture which uses the
supervised mode of learning. This is the most widely used type of neural net.
Hidden Layer A layer of processing elements between a neural network's input layer and its
output layer.
Input Layer A layer of processing elements that receives the input to a neural net.
Kohonen Net A neural net architecture whose processing elements compete with each other
for the "right" to respond to an input pattern.
Neural Network A system modeled after the neurons (nerve cells) in a biological nervous system.
A neural network is designed as an interconnected system of processing elements, each with a
limited number of inputs and outputs. Rather than being programmed, these systems learn to
recognize patterns.
Output Layer The layer of processing elements which produce a neural net's output.
For More Info on Neural Networks

Object Oriented Development

Inheritance The process where the properities of a superior object class are pushed upon a
subordinate object class.
Object A software structure which represents an identifiable item that has a well-defined role in a
problem domain.
Object Oriented An adjective applied to any system or language that supports the use of
objects.
For More Info on Object Oriented Development

OPS Programming Language

Action In a forward-chaining production system, the right-hand side of a rule consisting of a
secquence of actions.
Agenda A control mechanism the handles a priority queue of tasks.
Antecedent The statement of conditions necessary for coming to a conclusion. In a
production system, this is the left-hand side of the rule.
Attribute A property associated with an object.
Backtracking A control method used to search backwards for solutions.
Backward-Chaining A process used to find the solution by searching backwards from the
solution towards the initial conditions thus verifying the specified goal.
Backus-Naur Form (BNF) A formal language used to define context-free grammars where a
formal grammer consists of a set of rules with a left and right side separated by the symbol '::='.
The left hand side is a nonterminal symbol and the right-hand side is a sequence of nonterminal
symbols.
Belief A statement that is not known or assumed to be true.
Binding The process of assigning a variable a value.
Bound A variable that has been assigned a value in the binding process.
Condition Element The left side of a rule that can be expressed as a pattern which can be
matched against facts.
Control Strategy The process for choosing the next action when there are many
alternatives steps.
Data Memory The global database used in a production system.
Demon A procedure that is executed whenever a particular predicate about a database becomes
true.
Execute Do the steps specified in a procedure or the actions in a rule.
Forward-chaining A process used to find the solution by starting with an assumption and
working toward a final goal.
Frame A formal method of representing information about a single idea or concept in terms of
properties where the information is stored in slots.
Goal The solution that the program is trying to reach.
Goal Directed Same as backward chaining.
Learning A change to a system that alters it's future performance and is usually associated
with changes to rules.
Left Side Specifies the antecedents that must be satisfied if the rule on the right-side is to
be executed.
List A series of recursively defined objects.
Match Comparing the left side with data values in memory to find the ways in which rules can be
satisfied.
Object An entity in a programming system that is used to represent a piece of information or
knowledge.
Procedure Set of instructions for performing a task.
Production Another name for rules.
Property The features and characteristics of an object and the values are called attributes.
Right side A series of actions taken in the specified sequence when a rule is fired.
Rule Represents the relationship between objects and actions.
Scheme Same as Frame.
Task Another name for context or goal.
Variable A term that can assume any value from a set of values.
For More Info on the OPS Programming Language

Optical Character Recognition

Character Recognition The process of applying pattern-matching methods to character shapes
that have been read into a computer to determine the character that the shapes represent.
For More Info on Optical Character Recognition

Prolog Programming Language

Atom The most fundamental element in Prolog made up of a string of characters, numbers, and
some special characters.
Backtracking A control method used to search backwards for solutions.
Backward-Chaining A process used to find the solution by searching backwards from the
solution towards the initial conditions thus verifying the specified goal.
Binding The process of assigning a variable a value.
Bound Variable A variable that has been assigned a value.
Clauses Either a Prolog fact or rule.
Cut An operator used to terminate backtracking in areas that will not give useful solutions.
Declarative Language A language that allows programming by defining the boundary conditions
and constraints and letting the computer determine a solution that meets these requirements.
Fact A statement about the relationship between objects.
Fail A Prolog operator that causes backtracking to occur.
Forward-chaining A process used to find the solution by starting with an assumption and
working toward a final goal.
Functor Characterized by its name, which is an atom, and the arity or number of
arguements.
Goal The solution that the Prolog program is trying to reach or prove correct.
List A collection of objects enclosed in square brackets such as [a, b, c]. A list is made up of
the head (or first element) and a tail (the remainder of the list).
Meta-Rule A rule that defines the roles of other rules.
Predicate A function that returns either a true or false value.
Predicate Calculus The extension of propositional calculus that enables the use of variables.
Procedural Language The traditional programming that is based on algorithms or a logical step-
by-step process for solving a problem.
Proposition An expression about an object which can have either a true or false value.
Propositional Calculus The formal logic system used to define the true or false values of objects.
Recursion
Rule A clause that defines the relationship or relationships between facts and objects.
Terms An object, compound object, variable, or list.
Unification The pattern matching technique used by Prolog to match goals and sub-goals in
a program.
Variables A storage location with a name that can be assigned a value.
For More Info on The Prolog Programming Language

Robotics
Under Construction Check back soon
For More Info on Robotics

Scheme Programming Language

Extension Language A general-purpose programming language accessible to the users of the
application created with that language. LISP dialects (including Scheme) are often suitable
extension languages.
Scheme Langauge A LISP dialect often used within computer science curricula and
programming language research.
For More Info on Scheme Programming Language

Smalltalk Programming Language

Class See Smalltalk - A Brief Description for more information.
Data
Members
Methods
Objects
For More Info on the Smalltalk Programming Language

Speech Recognition
Speech Recognition The ability of a computer to understand spoken words for the purpose of
receiving commands and data input from the speaker.
For More Info on Speech Recognition

Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality A computer-created environment which gives the illusory impression of real
surroundings.
For More Info on Virtual Reality