Problem Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Is the problem decomposable?

Can solution steps be ignored or undone?
Is the universe predictable?
Is a good solution absolute or relative?
Is the solution a state or a path?
What is the role of knowledge?
Does the task require interaction with a
person?

Production system characteristics

Monotonic:

execution of a rule never prevents

the execution of other applicable rules
Non-monotonic: without this property
Partially commutative: if application of a
particular sequence of rules transforms state
x into state y, then any permutation of those
rules that are allowable, transforms x into y
Commutative: monotonic + partially
commutative

Problems and production system

monotonic

Non-monotonic

Partially

Theorem

Robot

commutative

proving

navigation

Non-partially

Chemical

backgammon

commutative

synthesis

Problems and production system

monotonic

Non-monotonic

Ignorable

Recoverable

Partially
commutative
Non-partially
commutative

Irrecoverable
Irrecoverable

Unpredictable

Sample problems - 8-puzzle

Sample problems - 8-puzzle

Sample problems - 8 queens

Sample problems - 8 queens

Sample problems - 8 queens

Sample problems - Cryptarithmetic

Sample problems - Cryptarithmetic