Re: Lisp/AI, Carnegie Mellon University

From: Nameless (news.mail_at_chello.no)
Date: 05/10/04

  • Next message: Rahul Jain: "Re: "Correct" COND behavior?" 
    Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 01:19:32 GMT

    "Don Geddis" wrote in message
    news:409a8696$1@news.unimelb.edu.au...
    > "wim" <fredj@labyrinth.NOnet.SPAMau> wrote on Wed, 05 May 2004:
    > > Out of curiousity, why is LISP so highly regarded in the AI
    > > field still?
    >
    > Lisp is a superbly designed language, appropriate for almost
    > any application. Especially for solving problems where the
    > solution isn't well understood, and much trial and error (aka
    > rapid prototyping) is required.
    >
    > AI happens to be filled with many problems like this.
    >
    > > Pardon my ignorance, but I thought something more akin to
    > > Prolog might be better.
    >
    > Logical inference is a part of the solution of many (but not
    > all) AI problems. However, automated deduction doesn't workal
    > very well (yet?) to solve non-trivi problems.
    >
    > Experience shows that languages like Prolog are less easy
    > to use than procedural languages, especially when trying to
    > encode procedural information (such as an algorithm).

    One of the qualities of Prolog is that it allows procedural
    programming, and consequently is constantly under attack by
    LP'ers, who just happen to be those who use Prolog most! :)

    > That's not to say that an AI system might not want a rules
    > engine also. But merely that logical rules and deduction (aka
    > Prolog) isn't the best substrate for much of the effort.

    In many instances Prolog is, it all depends on the nature
    of your application.

    > A good procedural language is better. And Lisp is one of the
    > best.

    I don't buy that either. Firstly, Lisp is a functional, not
    a procedural, language. Secondly, GUI's are better done in
    an object oriented or procedural language, as are _some_
    solutions to algorithmic problems. The truth is that most
    AI/CI problems are better tackled by using a combination of
    programming languages.

    Ignorance is bliss, but you shouldn't always display it. :) 

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  • Next message: Rahul Jain: "Re: "Correct" COND behavior?"

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