Tool assessment in expert system prototyping: The KEE expert system shell

KEE (Knowledge Engineering Environment) is an expert system shell distributed by Intellicorp for prototyping expert systems. Based on both a frame concept and a rule based system, KEE features user facilities such as active images, a Lisp interface, a rule tracing system and an advanced man-machine interface involving a window managment tool and on-line menus accessible through a mouse activated cursor. Although it is not necessary to learn a new language or hundreds of coded instructions, a basic KEE training is required, followed by in-depth practice in order to explore the extensive capabilities of the system. The paper reviews the basic KEE features and discusses an industrial application for simulating expertise in a cement grinding environment and should provide guidance for those contemplating the acquisition of expert system shells.