Logic programming is based on a system of symbolic logic called first-order predicate calculus,6 which is a formal system of symbolic logic that uses variables, predicates, quantifiers, and logical connectives to produce propositions involving terms. Predicate calculus is the foundation for logic programming as λ-calculus is the basis for functional programming (Figure 14.1). We refer to first-order predicate calculus simply as predicate calculus in this chapter. The crux of logic programming is that the programmer specifies a knowledge base of known propositions—axioms declared to be true—from which the system infers new propositions using a deductive apparatus:
Figure 14.1 The theoretical foundations ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month, and much more.
