GLISP: A High-Level Language for A.I. Programming

GLISP is a high-level LISP-based language which is compiled into LISP using a knowledge base of object descriptions. l.isp objects and objects in AI. rcprcscntation languages arc treated uniformly; this makcc program code independent of the data representation used, and permits changes of representation without changing code. GI,lSP’s object description language provides a powerful abstract datatype facility which allows the structures and properties of objects to be dcscribcd. Reference to objects is permitted in an English-like syntax, including dcfinitc rcfcrencc rclativc to the current context of the computation. Object-ccntcrcd programming is supported. When interfaced to a hierarchical rcprescntation language, GLISP can perform inheritance at compile time, resulting in substantial performance improvements. In addition, a LISP structure can be specified as the way of implcmcnting a class of objects in the rcprcscntntion language, making simple objects cfficicnt in both time and storage.