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Computer Science and Software Engineering Capstone Presentations

Summer Quarter

August 21, 2020

Austin Rich

"Reasoning Engine with Python & PyKE"

(UWB CSS Faculty Research)

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Yusuf Pisan

Abstract

For my capstone, I worked with two other students and Professor Pisan to develop a reasoning engine that could be used to solve problems via rules and facts. To develop this, we used a logical programming framework called PyKE to implement a series of search problems from the text, Building Problem Solvers. PyKE was chosen because it works with the Python language and its logical programming would allow us to apply its features to the set of problems in the text to provide solutions. PyKE was able to be used on the first problem of the text, however, PyKE proved to be too difficult to manage and properly apply to other problems. We decided to create our own Python class to perform similar functions to PyKE but allow us to control and understand how operations are handled. I worked on adding functionalities to this new class and ensure that it can perform operations such as performing matches between various facts or patterns in our knowledge base. Handling PyKE helped me gain experience working with a new, well-developed software system. PyKE was very intricate and difficult to bug test, but after spending time picking at it and its documentation, I was able to get a better idea of how it can be used to work with our project. Working in a group on this project gave me a better understanding of collaboration in a software development environment via regular meetings to assess what progress has been made and how goals need to be shifted.

Updated August 18, 2020, 13:49