Sim Selector v1.0 - Easy CBR

The ability to learn from experiences and to apply the knowledge acquired (mostly subconsciously), is vital for all situations that demand flexible deciding and acting. One method in Artificial Intelligence to simulate this principle - without complex deduction patterns - consists in case-based reasoning (CBR).

This is achieved via character-based functions of comparison (degree of similarity) amongst "new" and already "existing" cases or descriptions, which will become clearer in the program itself (call it via console/command shell and without parameters: type "java Sim_v1_0_Main"). Then change some entry within the left text area: input a key string and its new value string into the small text fields (mid-left), "add" this entry and then SELECT from the case-base. In this way, a value can be changed: by overriding. You can also change an entry as a whole, or its key: Type the key below, "delete" this entry, input a new key below and finally "add" this entry.

As to text usage: You can save an entry to clipboard (select/mark & copy) and afterwards "paste" it into the test fields below, in order to change (edit) and add it by the press of a button etc.

Before any text changed will be lost, you will be asked to manually save the respective text contents. To save time, aborting any loading or saving dialog is possible. Then, Java will simply write into a temporary file named "nullnull".

The case-base (set of preceding cases) simply consists of the set of files existing at searching time within the application"s directory, their names ending on ".sim" and of correct (data type) format, i.e. like saved to file before. Each case is a pair of a description (a finite, possibly empty sequence of key strings and their assigned value strings) and a solution in any form of text. Both components are editable, each for itself. As keys are unique, they only appear once inside the list of entries. For selection of cases, ONLY the description currently visible within the main window will be considered: in the demo version even only the upper-most (#1) entry (key + value); in the full version all entries (cf. Defs source file).

Some features demand to be tried out, since they might differ from one Java version to another. Also, this docu cannot seize every aspect. Note: Starting with parameter(s) via console is possible; best, begin with any (exactly 1) command argument, in order to show the syntax of call. In general yields: the empty word/string (no input) is allowed & valid, such as non-alphabetical characters. Within the program itself, however, inputs (including blanks and line-breaks!) will be given to the application as 1 word, which must be considered with regard to comparing cases and calculating their task-specific (degree of) relevance. Plus, functional definitions of the (Defs) source text are based on this fact.


Those cases considered similar (recruited) will be displayed in an extra window and are not editable (in there). They will (for sakes of time) not be sorted as to relevance - instead, you choose the "next" case retrieved, in case. Until a new search ("select") the current list of recruited cases remains, as long as no decisive changes within the main window will have been performed. Most recently recruited cases yet persist inside their extra window until the next search, in order to enable copying its texts to clipboard.

The actual goal:

To use this program with an aim, the case-base must grow. Primarily, specify/document cases representing "corner points" (i.e. require uncommon strategies) and acc. to your own syntactic rules. Once in a while adapt the Sim_Defs.java, in order to receive more realistic similarity values and, again, solutions to new situations faster; or let tasks be partially solved automatically.

Compile (via "javac") the Sim_Defs.java and THEN the Sim_Helper.java; after that and in case, copy both *.class-Dateien into the desired application directory; finally, start the application (java).

Some tips for advanced users: Manipulation of the case-base (as to different subjects) can be achieved by moving (and creating archives of) case, defs and helper class files. Moreover, multiple installation of the same application into different class directories should cause no difficulties because of their small file sizes.

Installing and starting the program:

First, make sure that all unpacked class and html files to this application are situated in your Java class directory, mostly a ".bin": the main class Sim_v1_0_Main.class and local classes with "$", the Sim_Defs.class and Sim_Helper.class; the same for the case files (as mentioned above) and the examples provided.

Open a command shell or similar and change to the directory stated. It will become the directory of the case-base after calling the application. Plus, any file dialog, in the running process, will then open this directory first.

Each sample zip file contains a source text and its compiled class file(s). In the current directory, there is an equally named file "Sim_Defs.java" to DEFINE all the relevant functions.


To choose a certain Defs class to be based upon by the application, start with unpacking the demo file (as a tip: into a subfolder of the current dir). Then copy all extracted files into the working dir. This way, the set of files determining the program"s behaviour will completely be replaced. It is best to keep the inner zip files within the same directory.

The source files (Defs) within the zip samples have already been compiled to *.class files; both files are situated in the same subdir after unraveling the respective archive. Only the *.class files are needed at runtime. Always take care of correctness of class names.

Terms of using the demo and the full version:

• Version: 1.0
  
  (c) Copyright 2004 - all rights reserved
  
    Henrik Pagenkopf
    Wichterichstr. 7
    D - 53177 Bonn
  
  
  
• Note: I hereby take no responsibility for errors in this program, nor for possible harm to hard or
  software due to using this program. Quality note: This program has been carefully tested in various
  Java environments (Jdk1.0.2 and JRE1.3). According to SUN company as to standard Java, this system
  application will run with the granted safety conditions of Java, for any operating system, in the
  "virtual Java maschine".
  
  I have the right to make corrections and updates to this program. Thank you in advance for your
  annotations. My current email address: henrik.pagenkopf@gmx.de
  
  
  
• Software: Demo / Shareware
  
  The demo version is free. The right to use, copy and distribute the demo version (i.e. all files
  included) is hereby guaranteed - yet only for non-commercial purposes.
  
  Dear user of this program, please distribute the DEMO version (shareware). I wish you a good time
  with this program!
  
  
  
• Contents:
  1. Info documents (in ASCII und HTML)
  2. Java class files
  3. source text files to compile
  4. demo files (*.zip)
  
  
• File name of the application: "Sim_v1_0_Main.class"
  
  
• Requirements:
  1. Java Development Kit (Jdk1.0.2 or higher s. http://java.sun.com)
  2. a browser that supports Html (from 4.0)
  3. an (un)zipping tool for the contained files (unzip/winzip)