In this work is described a new complex training system, named SPprolog, intended for training and self-training in logic programming language - Prolog. This system includes elements related to Prolog and logic programming, and the elements of independent, complex, self-sufficient training system which is capable considerably to increase the quality of self-training, and to be effective assistant in training. The most useful application of the system can be in distance education and self-training. The main elements of SPprolog system are: Functionally expanded (in comparison with existing systems) Prolog development environment, with the multipurpose code editor, the automated organization system of the personal tools, automated advice mode "Expert Advice", based on the incorporated expert system for cultivated, effective and optimized programming; Link to foreign Prolog programs compiler which allow to compile the program to independent executable; Built in intellectual, interactive, multimedia Prolog interpreter integrated with expert system and the elements of the intellectuality, allowing to lead detailed program interpretation, with popular and evident, explanation of the theory and mechanisms used in it, applying audiovisual effects to increase the level of naturalness of process of explanation; Full digital training course of Prolog programming language presented in the form of the matrix of knowledge and supplied system of consecutive knowledge reproduction for self-training and evaluation; an intensive course of training to the Prolog language and Spprolog system, based on the programmed, consecutive set of actions, allowing using the previous two mechanisms of sys-tem for popular and evident explanation of the main principles of work of system and Prolog language.training, prolog, environment, Spprolog

Serghei PELIN

English

Research Papers in Economics

Informatica Economică, nr. 2 (42)/2007 
 
51
The Intellectual Training Environment  
for Prolog Programming Language 
 
Serghei PELIN, Chişinău, Republica Moldova, 
serghei.pelin@yahoo.com 
 
In this work is described a new complex training system, named  SPprolog, intended 
for training and self-training in logic programming language - Prolog. This system includes 
elements related to Prolog and logic programming, and the elements of independent, com-
plex, self-sufficient training system which is capable considerably to increase the quality of 
self-training, and to be effective assistant in training. The most useful application of the sys-
tem can be in distance education and self-training. The main elements of SPprolog system 
are: 
• Functionally expanded (in comparison with existing systems) Prolog development environ-
ment, with the multipurpose code editor, the automated organization system of the personal 
tools, automated advice mode "Expert Advice", based on the incorporated expert system for 
cultivated, effective and optimized programming; 
• Link to foreign Prolog programs compiler which allow to compile the program to inde-
pendent executable; 
• Built in intellectual, interactive, multimedia Prolog interpreter integrated with expert sys-
tem and the elements of the intellectuality, allowing to lead detailed program interpretation, 
with popular and evident, explanation of  the theory and mechanisms used in it, applying 
audiovisual effects to increase the level of naturalness of process of explanation; 
• Full digital training course of Prolog programming language presented in the form of the 
matrix of knowledge and supplied system of consecutive knowledge reproduction for self-
training and evaluation; 
• an intensive course of training to the Prolog language and SPprolog system, based on the 
programmed, consecutive set of actions, allowing using the previous two mechanisms of sys-
tem for popular and evident explanation of the main principles of work of system and Prolog 
language. 
Keywords: training, prolog, environment, SPprolog. 
 
ntroduction 
Th
prolo
e intellectual training environment for 
g programming language- SPprolog, is 
basically intended for training and self-
training in Prolog programming language. It 
can be applied in any educational institutions 
(schools, high schools, specialized courses) 
by trainees - as environment for program-
ming and evident understanding of results of 
the made program, as the experimental envi-
ronment for studying some language mecha-
nism; by trainer during an explanation of 
various language mechanisms or during an 
explanation of a principle of work of some 
program.  
However it is supposed, that the basic suc-
cess of the given system should be during 
self-training of Prolog language, because the 
system itself will tell and will explain a new 
theme under the incorporated plan; will offer 
necessary examples, in detail and evidently 
will explain a principle of their work. During 
the independent programming will substitute 
the teacher with valuable and duly advice 
from the incorporated expert system. 
System Functionalities: 
1.Development environment 
a.  Multifunctional editor with Prolog syntax 
highlighting, code completion for standard 
and user predicates, code snippets, code 
outlining, bookmarks, split view, etc… 
b.Automated user tools organizer which 
permit quick saving of selected code as in-
dependent tool; quick insert of user tools; 
“on fly” verification for duplicated predi-
cates. 
I Informatica Economică, nr. 2 (42)/2007 
 
52 
c.  Automated advice system “Expert ad-
vice”. This system permit “on fly” syntax 
verification, advice for cultivated pro-
gramming, code analyzing and giving ad-
vice for more “optimized” code (more 
quickly, more evidently, more shortly), no-
tification for senselessly code. 
2.Foreign prolog compiler which allow code 
error verification, and compiling the program 
to separate executable. 
3.Intellectual, interactive, multimedia Prolog 
interpreter integrated with expert system and 
the elements of the intellectuality, allowing 
leading the detailed program interpretation, 
with popular and evident, explanation of the 
theory and mechanisms used in it. 
a.  Automated code scrolling while interpre-
tation 
b.Visual selection of the part of the pro-
gram which is interpreted 
c.  Visualization of all input and output pa-
rameters 
d.Animated demonstration of unification 
process 
e.  Animated transitions of executed actions 
f. Animated backtracking demonstration 
g.Scoring the executed actions and transi-
tions 
h.Automated building  and visualization of 
program solution tree 
i. Detailed explanation of executed action 
j. Hot access to digital manual information 
k.Expert Advice 
4.Digital training course of Prolog program-
ming language presented in the form of the 
matrix of knowledge and supplied system of 
consecutive knowledge reproduction for self-
training and evaluation. 
 
The development environment. We under-
stand all those tools, as development envi-
ronment which are applied direct or indirect 
for writing the program. As one of the basic 
specified tools the editor of a code acts. The 
idea of own cod editor creation has arisen 
during using various editors of existing reali-
zations of Prolog language, during teaching 
the Prolog to students, and also during per-
sonal professional work. Existing realizations 
Prolog languages a prologue as the most 
powerful, and less widespread give few at-
tention to process of coding (writing the pro-
gram), and concentrate mostly on internal 
language mechanisms and its final opportuni-
ties. Actually the process of writing the pro-
gram is poorly automated, and is poorly dis-
tinct from entering text in the simple editor, 
which allows only typing various symbols.  
 
 
 
Fig.1. Prolog development environment 
 
This became one of principal causes of diffi-
cult understanding of this language by begin-
ners, as before it can check up result of the 
written program, it faces a problem – the ne-
cessity of writing a correct program. The ab-
sence of syntax highlighting , absence of the 
unequivocal code organization, absence of 
possibility to auto-insert the predicates Informatica Economică, nr. 2 (42)/2007 
 
53
names, together with  weak syntax knowl-
edge  and a small experience strongly com-
plicate and "extend" the process of writing 
the program. At the same time for more ex-
perienced users in Prolog, the absence of 
elementary possibilities of the organization, 
and code navigation also is not positive prop-
erty of the editor if the code size is rather big. 
Only navigation on a code needs a lot of 
time, the strengthened attention and good 
memorizing of the program text. 
It has been decided to introduce in SPprolog 
system the multipurpose code editor, which 
whenever possible would not have the listed 
lacks, and would promote faster, easy and 
correct typing of the program. Besides this it 
has been decided to add a little, not depend-
ent from the editor tools which also would 
optimize the work of the user while writing 
the program. It is possible to declare with 
confidence that the given development envi-
ronment is currently one of the most ad-
vanced Prolog tool, among existent Prolog 
development environments (Fig 1). 
The intellectual, interactive, multimedia 
Prolog Interpreter (further the Interpreter). 
The interpreter is a set of tools providing, 
training effect in the given system. The basic 
purpose of the interpreter is, first of all, to in-
terpret the user program, however the feature 
of the given interpreter is not only naked in-
terpretation of some program,  but also an 
audio-visual explanation of the process of 
execution (interpretation) of the given pro-
gram  by the Prolog language, with com-
ments, explanations, references to the theory. 
The given interpreter can be compared to the 
teacher which not only displays on a board 
(or orally) the result of program execution, 
but step by step explains to a trainee how the 
given process is executed, what language 
mechanisms are involved, what operation 
and why it is carried out at present time, and 
i f  n e c e s s a r y  c a n   g i v e  m o r e  s i m p le  s i m i l a r  
example, quote an extract from a theoretical 
material or to stop at some stage, to explain 
the theory of this or that mechanism, and 
then to continue. Exactly this function is in-
corporated in the interpreter of the given sys-
tem as the basic function for the sake of 
which it and has been created. With minor 
reservations the given interpreter can be 
named the artificial teacher of Prolog lan-
guage.  
The interpreter should show how the Prolog 
language works from within. After theoreti-
cal material this system will help on the one 
hand to fix the studied material on the other 
hand to understand the practical mechanism 
of its application. 
Special highlight of the given interpreter is 
the opportunity of full scoring by a "human" 
voice of all explanations and occurring op-
erations. Appear the effect of explanation of 
interpretation process by the person not by 
the artificial system. It becomes possible be-
cause of developed interpretation algorithm 
which contains final number of possible ac-
tions and operation during interpretation of 
any Prolog program, at the same time infinite 
number of their combinations arising at in-
terpretation of any program, does not make 
impression of the "simple" sounding robot. 
All explanation operation, besides a voice, 
are also displayed in the text mode which can 
be logged, and then printed to be studied later 
on. At the same time, the unique system of 
visual support and display of interpretation 
process, has been developed for more acces-
sible and evident explanation (Fig.2), which 
on strictly determined algorithm displays di-
rectly in the program code: all used parame-
ters, process of transition from one action to 
another, special marks and designations for 
evident display of internal Prolog language 
mechanisms (such as backtracking, recursive 
rules, etc.). For more evident demonstration 
are applied not static, but the animated im-
age. It not only draws attention to a place of 
interpretation, but also enables trained "to 
track" carried out action, to have time to real-
ize what has occurred. The given technology 
is much more effective than simple appearing 
on the screen of some information, because 
gives the possibility to track some informa-
tion sequence that occurred, and understand-
ing whence there is this or that element of 
data. 
 Informatica Economică, nr. 2 (42)/2007 
 
54 
 
Fig.2. System of visual support 
 
For example, if at a stage of transition from 
one subgoal to another subgoal there is some 
unification process, and all this to display by 
instantly appeared arrow of transition and 
showing the result of unification process in 
some cases even such simple action can 
cause difficulty in understanding. The tech-
nology applied in given system, will make 
following actions: From allocated proceeding 
subgoal the arrow  will start to proceed aside 
entering subgoal, then entering subgoal will 
be selected, will be displayed all the subgoal 
parameters. With animation and sound the 
unification process will be shown. Then in-
terpreter will finally display that subgoal is 
processed and executed, and entering subgoal 
should be processed. It resembles some ani-
mated film which even without sound sup-
port should accessible to explain that has oc-
curred. In relation to statically appearing pic-
tures the given method should become 
clearer. In this system there is a threefold ef-
fect promoting perception and understanding 
of the information: the voice explanation, 
animated graphic demonstration, and directly 
interpretation of the program or in other 
words educational tracing of the program.  
Intellectuality of the interpreter consists in an 
opportunity of a finding in the extensive 
knowledge base of such set of explanations 
which would correspond to a current inter-
preted part of the program, and in case of the 
request of the programmer to give them. Also 
the interpreter has an opportunity to pick up 
from base of well explained simple exam-
ples, such example which would correspond 
to an interpreted program part, and can be 
useful to detailed understanding of some 
moment in the program or actually process of 
interpretation of the given program part.  
The Interpreter is not the whole and indivisi-
ble mechanism in system, it more likely a set 
of small functions and mechanisms which 
together carry out one general function - evi-
dent interpretation. It enables both infinite 
expansion of the given mechanism, reduction 
of functionality if necessary. So each user 
can adjust the interpreter thus which will cor-
respond as much as possible to necessity of 
the concrete user.  
 
Full digital training course. It is a high-
grade training course of Prolog programming 
language which consists of 12 theoretical 
sections, a set of the described and explained 
examples, and also comments of independent 
experts. The digital training course in 
SPprolog is structured with the Matrix of 
Knowledge Elements (MKE) [2,6].  The 
MKE permit the data in digital training 
course to be not only the static theoretical in-
formation, but it also is a part of the knowl-Informatica Economică, nr. 2 (42)/2007 
 
55
edge base used by expert system. 
In general, MKE is presented as A=<aij>. In 
logic presentation MKE can be presented 
thought the multitude of predicates: 
matrix (a11,a12, …, a1N). 
matrix (a21,a22, …, a2N).                    
… 
 matrix (aM1,aM2,…,aMN). 
Every of the mentioned predicates with the 
arity N, at its row, can be transformed in pro-
duction of binary predicates. From binary to 
unary. The multitude A= <aij>   will form a 
language  L o f  s o m e  t h e o r y  T, which will 
describe the active knowledge. Elements i of 
MKE will consist from: 
<concretization, definition, demonstration, 
other opinion, glossary, bibliography>. 
It is permitted the modification of element i 
conformity with determined by user concept 
of this MKE . For the element  j   will be 
determined Aristotle’s categories, as follows:   
<essense, quantity, quality, in comparation 
with ..., …>. 
If it is necessary the j  elements of the matrix 
also can be modificated. 
It is considered, that every  of element aij can 
be interpretated only as TRUE. To determine 
the boundary of any two neibourn elements 
of MKE, for example  ai,j and  ai+1,j of MKE 
will use the notion of distance of Hemming d 
wich is presented as: 
d(ai,j , ai+1,j) = Σ⏐μai,j(xk) - μai+1,j(xk)⏐, 
where  j(xk)  and  μai+1,j(xk),  - linguistic 
variable, wich define the level how x   belong 
to ai,j or  ai+1,j. 
Conclusion.  The offered complex elements 
training system to language logic a prologue, 
harmoniously supplement each other and to-
gether make effective and productive training 
system. The given system can become the ir-
replaceable tool during training and espe-
cially during self-training and distance learn-
ing. Due to elements of intellectuality and 
specific effects the system can raise consid-
erably the quality of training, and reduce the 
time spent for training and human resources. 
 
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A pattern of a modern expert and outlooks of using Prolog, the language of logic programming.

A.Miron, Y.Grinev, &quot;Problems of Creation of Prolog Operating System&quot;

I.Orlovsky &quot;Problems of knowledge formalization and their usage at distance learning.&quot;

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Language Tutorial, Prolog Development

Logic programming – past, present and future.

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Programare în logică.

Programming for Artificial Intelligence.

PROLOG – programming for tomorrow.

PROLOG 2.0 ghid de utilizare,

S.Pelin, A.Pelin “The matrix of Knowledge Elements” – effective technology for knowledge management.

The Intellectual Training Environment for Prolog Programming Language

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Research Papers in Economics