Uncertainty in information retrieval: an approach based on fuzzy sets

Design and implementation issues are discussed for a fuzzy information retrieval system using a knowledge-based system approach. In this context, system performance is identified as a critical point, and heuristics are suggested for a constrained spreading activation in the knowledge base and for optimization of the retrieval procedure. The design and implementation issues outlined are being tested in a prototype system named FIRST (Fuzzy Information Retrieval SysTem), which is being implemented in Prolog on a personal workstation.<
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