A hardware-implemented rule-based expert system 11 (REX) includes a working memory 12 in which, at the beginning of an inferencing operation, is stored known information or facts pertaining to the application domain; and a memory 13 for storing a rule set 15 comprised of a series of instructions, each defining a condition or an action. Means is provided for loading from the rule memory into working memory successive instructions of the rule set, and a logic means 12 is provided for successively executing the instructions in working memory with reference to the stored facts to thereby deduce new facts. As new facts are deduced, they are stored in working memory and may be used during the execution of subsequent instructions of the rule set to derive additional facts. Upon the completion of the inferencing operation, the facts stored in working memory are transferred, 14, to an output device. IMAGE
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