A wool specification expert system in LEVEL5 Object or experiences of a procedural programmer with a hybrid system

Some experiences of a self-trained programmer developing an expert system (ES), initially in VP Expert and then ported to LEVEL5 Object, are discussed. Moving from an incremental approach of developing code in FORTRAN to the disciplined approach required for an ES which is object oriented (OO), proved frustrating but also rewarding. A need for careful analysis and design not only provided a structure for the OO system development but subsequently proved useful for more conventional systems developments. The ES assists with the determination of a specification for parcels of New Zealand wool to be processed into carpet yarn. The extension to an intelligent system which learns by way of an evolutionary algorithm is being customised for commercial use in a yarn manufacturing plant.