Describe the rule-based approache to Knowledge Representation

Rule based approach:
Rule-based systems are used as a way to store and manipulate knowledge to interpret information in a useful way. In this approach, idea is to use production rules, sometimes called IF-THEN rules. The syntax structure is
IF <premise> THEN <action>
<premise> - is Boolean. The AND, and to a lesser degree OR and NOT, logical connectives are possible.
<action> - a series of statements
Notes:
• The rule premise can consist of a series of clauses and is sometimes referred to as the antecedent
• The actions are sometimes referred to as the consequent
A typical rule-based system has four basic components:
 A list of rules or rule base, which is a specific type of knowledge base.
 An inference engine or semantic reasoner, which infers information or takes action based on the interaction of input and the rule base.
 Temporary working memory.
 A user interface or other connection to the outside world through which input and output signals are received and sent.
Working Memory contains facts about the world and can be observed directly or derived from a rule. It contains temporary knowledge – knowledge about this problem-solving session. It may be modified by the rules.
It is traditionally stored as <object, attribute, value> triplet.
Rule Base contains rules; each rule is a step in a problem solving process. Rules are persistent knowledge about the domain. The rules are typically only modified from the outside of the system, e.g. by an expert on the domain.
The syntax isa IF <conditions> THEN <actions> format.
The conditions are matched to the working memory, and if they are fulfilled, the rule may be fired.
Actions can be:
 Adding fact(s) to the working memory.
 Removing fact(s) from the working memory
 Modifying fact(s) in the working memory.
The Interpreter operates on a cycle:
 Retrieval: Finds the rules that match the current Working Memory. These rules are the Conflict Set.
 Refinement: Prunes, reorders and resolves conflicts in the Conflict Set.
 Execution: Executes the actions of the rules in the Conflict Set. Applies the rule by performing the action.