VisiRule

An overview of the VisiRule™ decision logic charting tool from LPA

Contents

Introduction Motivation Examples Integration Summary

A simple VisiRule chart …

… generates executable code

And run it!

What is VisiRule?

Unlike other visual modelling tools, VisiRule™ is specifically designed for building robust decision models

VisiRule decision models are easy for anyone to make and share because they are created graphically, in a similar way to MindMap

Unlike other computer tools that can interpret and execute visual models, VisiRule ensures users create models with "referential integrity" - always consistent

VisiRule models can be exported to other programs

What is VisiRule?

“VisiRule is not designed to automatically construct visual models or executable code from data, rather it is a tool that allows experts to build decision models using a graphical paradigm, like MindMap, but one that can be annotated using code and or Boolean logic and then executed and exported to other programs and processes.”

What is VisiRule?

Graphical tool for drawing decision logic Lay-out logic flow Execute logic in-situ Check and debug results Generate and export code

Who is VisiRule for?

Domain experts involved with specifying and modelling knowledge processes

People involved with automated decision making

Typical sectors – legal, banking, finance, electrical, diagnostics

What does VisiRule do?

Lets you draw charts Lets you explore logic Lets you generate code Lets you export XML Lets you test outcomes Lets you produce shareable pictures WMFs

Why VisiRule?

Easy-to-use Intuitive representation Immediate testing and debugging Integration with IT architecture Small footprint – readily available Reliable and verifiable

VisiRule Outputs

Charts as shareable diagrams Code for exporting and embedding Text for exporting, editing and exploring Possible test suite Possible audit trail

3-layers of access

VisiRule creates charts (layer 1) VisiRule generates Flex code (LPA ‘s Expert

System Product) (layer 2) Flex code in turn generates Prolog (layer 3) The underlying Prolog allows you to do

almost anything, including call C functions using a built-in predicate called winapi/4

Goals of VisiRule

Makes technology available to non-programmers

Question and answer-based processes can be rapidly tested and deployed

Run-time architecture integrates into existing web and desktop standards

A Multi-tiered Toolset

VisiRule

Flex

WinProlog

Integration with VB, Delphi, ODBC

Engine and integration

ProWebCGI

WebFlex

ProDataODBCXML

LPAIntelligence

Server

Prologengine

Run-time deployment

WWW

Prolog GUI

VB,JavaC# .Net

Run-timeengine

VisiRule

Point ‘n Click to add new objects Delete link and associated objects Edit expressions in-line Automatic aggregation for menus Analysis of logic flow

Intelligent Design Tool

Automatic linking/de-linking of objects Horizontal/vertical alignment Horizontal/vertical spacing Syntax checker for expressions & code Show/don’t show information fields

A Simple Worked Example

New empty chart Create the Nodes Link the Nodes Generate and Test the Code

Examples

Using VisiRule, we can draw a simple chart, Fig. 1, where each expression box evaluates a compound logic expression

An empty chart

Add a start node

Add a question

Add some expressions

Add some end nodes

Add links & Generate the Code

Run the Code

Answer the question …

… and get the answer

Another Worked Example

2 binary questions 4 outcome nodes Compound logic in expressions

An empty chart

Add a question

Another question

Add some expressions

Edit the expressions

Add the end nodes

Link and finish

Another Worked Example

2 binary questions 4 outcome nodes Compound logic in expressions

Holiday Entitlement

Holiday Entitlement

Holiday Entitlement

Holiday Entitlement

Holiday Entitlement

Holiday Entitlement

Holiday Entitlement

Holiday Entitlement

Various Nodes Types

Question nodes Expression nodes Statement Boxes Code Boxes Start and End nodes

Different kinds of Nodes

Structured Expression Boxes

A Simple Statement Box

Another Statement Box

Another Statement Box

Continuation Box

Convergence

Exporting XML

Exporting WMF

Publishing on the Web

Generate the Paths

There are 8 unique ways of traversing the Loans.vsr chart

Future Plans

Support for loops Smarter graphics Simpler charts Modular sub-charts (re-useable components)

Importing XML Integration with Visio

The End

Go to the LPA web-site and download a 28-day Free Trial [help yourself]

Contact LPA if you want a full evaluation download system [more modules, longer tim-frame]

Go visit: www.lpa.co.uk