Using Focus to Generate Complex and Simple Sentences

One problem for the generation of natural language text is determining when to use a sequence of simple sentences and when a single complex one is more appropriate. In this paper, we show how focus of attention is one factor that influences this decision and describe its implementation in a system that generates explanations for a student advisor expert system. The implementation uses tests on functional information such as focus of attention within the Prolog definite clause grammar formalism to determine when to use complex sentences, resulting in an efficient generator that has the same benefits as a functional grammar system

The Glue-Nail Deductive Database System: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

... database system. Nail is a purely declarative query language; Glue is a procedural language used for non-query activities. The two languages combined are sufficient to write a complete application. Nail and Glue code are both compiled into the target language IGlue. The Nail compiler uses variants of the magic sets algorithm and supports well-founded models. The Glue compiler's static optimizer uses peephole techniques and data flow analysis to improve code. The IGlue interpreter features a run-time adaptive optimizer that reoptimizes queries and automatically selects indexes. We also describe the Glue-Nail benchmark suite, a set of applications developed to evaluate the Glue-Nail language and to measure the performance of the system

Glue-Nail: A Deductive Database System

Glue is a procedural language for deductive databases. It is designed to complement the purely declarative NAIL! language, firstly by performing system functions impossible to write in NAIL!, and secondly by allowing the procedural specification of algorithms for critical code sections. The two languages together are sufficient to write a complete application. Glue was designed to be as close to NAIL! as possible, hence minimizing the impedance mismatch problem. In this paper we concentrate on Glue. Pseudo-higher order programming is used in both languages, in the style of HiLog [1]. In particular Glue-Nail can handle set valued attributes (non1NF schemas) in a clean and efficient manner. NAIL! code is compiled into Glue code, simplifying the system design. An experimental implementation has been written, a more efficient version is under design