INFERENCE METHOD FOR PRODUCTION SYSTEM

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispose an old goal element string by eliminating the goal element and the goal element of the descendant from a working memory or changing the attributes so as not to affect succeeding inference in the case that the goal, element provided with the same master goal element is already present. SOLUTION: Parentage between the goal elements for which the goal element entered to the condition part of a production rule stored in a production memory 2 is a master and a generated goal element is a slave is stored. Then, at the time of generating the goal element in the working memory 1, whether or not the goal element provided with the same master goal element is already present is detected, and in the case that it is present, the goal element and the goal element of the descendant are eliminated from the working memory 1 or the attributes are changed so as not to affect the succeeding inference by an inference engine 3.