smfoo@m.cs.uiuc.edu (07/14/89)
/* Written 12:55 pm Jul 5, 1989 by mshapiro@polyslo.CalPoly.EDU in m.cs.uiuc.edu:comp.ai */ /* ---------- "Retry! Looking for info on Level5" ---------- */ Hi, folks. Yet another try here to find info on Level5 from Information Builders, Inc. I'm looking for all sorts of info ranging from how this shell is positioned with thin this VERY crowded marketplace as well as how the companies holding up. I'd hate to buy this thing and then get no support from a defunct organization. If you know anything please, oh please, help me out. Thanks! [Mitch] /* End of text from m.cs.uiuc.edu:comp.ai */ Though this response comes a bit late, hope it still helps in some way... Just happened to meet a friend who had some experience using the Level5 sys. According to him, the shell is really helpful and neat for beginners, and if the application on hand is not too complex. But if the application is too complex, then, a more powerful package such as PCPLUS is more recommendatble. Since you want all sorts of information, maybe I can say something about the manuals that come with the product.... According to this friend, one should not have much problem in using the product as the manuals are good. And on Level5 itself, it makes use of a simple but versatile language called Production Rule Language (PRL) to develop its knowledge bases. PRL repre- sents knowledge in the IF-THEN-ELSE rule form, and also allows one to specify procedure rules. Level5 uses both backward chaining goal driven and forward chining. Level5 knowledge bases may activate other Level5 kb's and communicate with them via a file of global facts or parameters that are shared among all kb's activated for a particular application. Level5 also allows external programs to be activated directly by a kb and provides an interface to dBASE II and dBASE III data base files. Kb's are developed using the Level5 multi-windowing kb editor. The editor interacts with the compiler and can be invoked to correct errors found at compile time. Besides, Level5 has a report system, which is an explanation facility that gives the user complete access to the inferential process while running a kb. It is another powerful debugging tool. The above info on Level5 itself is given by the friend who got it from the manuals that come with the package. Hope it's of some use in helping you make some decision :-)