Wos%ANL-MCS@sri-unix.UUCP (03/28/84)
From: Larry Wos <Wos@ANL-MCS>
[Forwarded from the Prolog Digest by Laws@SRI-AI.]
The book, Automated Reasoning: Introduction and Applications, by
Wos, Overbeek, Lusk, and Boyle, is now available from Prentice-
Hall. It introduces basic concepts by showing how an automated
reasoning program can be used to solve various puzzles. The puz-
zles include the "truthtellers and liars" puzzle that was exten-
sively discussed in the Prolog Digest, McCarthy's domino and
checkerboard puzzle, and the billiard ball and balance scale puz-
zle. The book is written in a somewhat informal style and no
background is required. It also contains a rigorous treatment of
the elements of automated reasoning. The book relies heavily on
examples, includes many exercises, and discusses various applica-
tions of automated reasoning. The applications include logic
circuit design, circuit validation, research in mathematics,
research in formal logic, control systems, and program verifica-
tion. Other chapters of the book provide an introduction to Pro-
log and to expert systems. The last chapter, "The Art of Au-
tomated Reasoning", gives guidelines for choosing representation,
inference rules, and strategies.
The book is based on examples actually solved by existing
automated reasoning programs. Certain of these programs are
available and portable. The book can be used as a college text,
consulted by those who wish to study possible applications, or
simply read by the curious.
It can be ordered directly from Prentice-Hall with a visa
or master card by calling 800-526-0485 and the ISBN number
is 0-13-054446-9 for the soft cover. The soft cover
is 18.95, and the hard 28.95.
-- LW