regelbasen

Regelbasen is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to refer to the rule base of a rule-based system. It denotes the centralized collection of if-then rules that encode domain knowledge and decision logic used by an inference mechanism. The rule base is designed to be maintained separately from data or facts, allowing domain experts to adjust rules without rewriting the underlying software.

In a typical rule-based system, the rule base interacts with a working memory that holds current facts about the domain. The inference engine continuously or on demand matches rule conditions against the facts and fires applicable rules, executing their actions. The firing of one rule can modify the working memory and trigger other rules, creating a chain of inferences. Rules are often expressed in production form: if condition then action or conclusion.

Rule representation can vary, including production rules, decision tables, or more declarative forms. Rules may have metadata such as priority, recency, or specificity to support conflict resolution when several rules are applicable at once. Common strategies include first-fire, last-in, or applying the most specific rule. Maintenance practices emphasize consistency, completeness, and readability, along with versioning and testing to prevent rule drift.

Regelbasen is used in various domains, from expert and knowledge-based systems to business rules management, regulatory compliance, and automation. It complements a knowledge base by storing the procedural logic that interprets facts to derive decisions or actions.