Rule-Based Training of Neural Networks

Abstract

Rule-based expert systems either develop out of the direct involvement of a concerned expert or through the enormous efforts of intermediaries called knowledge engineers . In either case, knowledge engineering tools are inadequate in many ways to support the complex problem of expert system building. This article describes a set of experiments with adaptive neural networks which explore two types of learning, deductive and inductive, in the context of a rule-based, deterministic parser of Natural Language. Rule-based processing of Language is an important and complex domain. Experiences gained in this domain generalize to other rule-based domains. We report on those experiences and draw some general conclusions that are relevant to knowledge engineering activities and maintenance of rule-based systems.