Abstract
This study explores the impact of four conflict set resolution strategies—random, recency, textual order, and specificity—on the efficiency of forward reasoning in rule-based expert systems. Experiments were conducted on seven diverse datasets, with knowledge bases ranging from over 100 to 150,000 rules. We evaluated inference time, success rate, and the number of new facts generated. The recency strategy proved most efficient, yielding the shortest inference time and fewest new facts, while the specificity strategy was the slowest. Inference failures occurred only with minimal input data (1$ of facts), affecting less than 5\$ of cases.
Paper Type
Short Paper
DOI
10.62036/ISD.2025.61
Impact of Conflict Set Resolution Strategies on Inference Efficiency in Rule-Based Systems
This study explores the impact of four conflict set resolution strategies—random, recency, textual order, and specificity—on the efficiency of forward reasoning in rule-based expert systems. Experiments were conducted on seven diverse datasets, with knowledge bases ranging from over 100 to 150,000 rules. We evaluated inference time, success rate, and the number of new facts generated. The recency strategy proved most efficient, yielding the shortest inference time and fewest new facts, while the specificity strategy was the slowest. Inference failures occurred only with minimal input data (1$ of facts), affecting less than 5\$ of cases.
Recommended Citation
Nowak-Brzezinska, A. & Nowak, D. (2025). Impact of Conflict Set Resolution Strategies on Inference Efficiency in Rule-Based SystemsIn I. Luković, S. Bjeladinović, B. Delibašić, D. Barać, N. Iivari, E. Insfran, M. Lang, H. Linger, & C. Schneider (Eds.), Empowering the Interdisciplinary Role of ISD in Addressing Contemporary Issues in Digital Transformation: How Data Science and Generative AI Contributes to ISD (ISD2025 Proceedings). Belgrade, Serbia: University of Gdańsk, Department of Business Informatics & University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences. ISBN: 978-83-972632-1-5. https://doi.org/10.62036/ISD.2025.61