Prologa
Modeling decision tables
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Prologa
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Katholieke
Universiteit
Leuven
Department of
Applied Economics
Features
Interfaces
Structures
LIRIS
Leuven Institute for Research on Information Systems
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Prologa (PROcedural Logic Analyzer)
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Computer supported
 Design
 Validation
 Manipulation
 Use, and
 Transformation
of Decision tables
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Importance and applications
Introduction
1. Conditional logic
Applications
–
systems analysis
Basic functions
–
business rules
Features
–
software engineering
Interfaces
– procedures, texts, regulations
Structures
–
test case specifications
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Importance and applications
2. Knowledge-based systems
Introduction
Applications

Knowledge acquisition
Basic functions

Validation and verification of knowledge systems
(consistency, completeness, correctness)
Features
Interfaces

Implementation of decision logic
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
PROcedural Logic Analyzer
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Emphasis on:

Interactive specification of decision logic

User friendly and automatic manipulations

Automatic verification and validation

Interfaces to various representations
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
(trees, code, rules)
Interfaces
Structures

Optimizations
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
An integrated development approach
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Acquisition
Modeling
Implementation
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Modeling
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Basic
Modeling Process
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Basic modeling process
Introduction

Start new table

Input conditions and actions

Input decision rules

Display table

Optimize table
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Start new table
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Basic modeling process
Introduction

Start new table

Input conditions and actions

Input decision rules

Display table

Optimize table
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Conditions and actions
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Detecting decision criteria, relevant
states and possible outcomes
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Action and condition input
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Basic modeling process
Introduction

Start new table

Input conditions and actions

Input decision rules

Display table

Optimize table
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Decision rules
Introduction
Applications
Relations between decision criteria and actions to
be be executed:
Basic functions
Features
–
–
Interfaces
General rules, exceptions, ...
Based upon starting text, interview,
examples, etc.
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Decision rules
Action(s) IF Condition combination(s)
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Various refinements:
–
–
–
Interfaces
Structures
–
–
–
Generally if
If and only if
Always if
Only possible if
Impossible if
...
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Decision rule input
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Basic modeling process
Introduction

Start new table

Input conditions and actions

Input decision rules

Display table

Optimize table
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Table display
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Expanded table
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Verification & Validation
Automatic checking for:
Introduction
Applications

Basic functions

Features


Interfaces
Structures


Completeness
Consistency
Correctness
Redundant conditions
Redundant actions
Redundant combinations
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Avoiding contradictions
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Verification report
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Various manipulations

Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
==> immediately reflected in table
Features
Interfaces
Add,
update,
delete,
reorder conditions and actions

Table layout
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Basic modeling process
Introduction

Start new table

Input conditions and actions

Input decision rules

Display table

Optimize table
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Various optimizations
Introduction

Layout
Applications

Contraction
Basic functions

Optimal condition order
Features

Optimal execution time
Interfaces

Optimal rules
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Contracted decision table
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Modeling
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Additional features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Additional features
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces

Fill by mouse

Table manipulation

Automatic verification

Optimal contraction

Action and condition dictionary

Table structures

Interface features

Consultation of tables
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Fill by mouse
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Fuzzy tables
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Import from MS Excel
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Import from MS Excel
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Decision Tree
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Export options
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Pascal generation
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
COBOL generation
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
AionDS table generation
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Optimal execution code
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Minimal rules
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Modeling
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Structures of
decision tables
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Structures of decision tables
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Decision table modularization
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Verification between tables
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Consultation of the knowledge
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Consultation environment
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Introduction
Tables
(logic)
Text, explanation
multimedia
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Consultation
mechanism
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Application
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Filling in criteria
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Result of the consultation
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven
Introduction
Applications
Basic functions
Features
Interfaces
Structures
Consultation
Prologa
...
Jan Vanthienen, K.U.Leuven