production system
a rule-based computer program that makes decisions or solves problems (see rule-based system). It operates according to a set of if–then (i.e., state–action) rules, such that if a certain state occurs, then an associated action is executed, thus altering the state, which produces a new action, and so on. A production system consists of three components: (a) the production memory, represented as sets of if–then rules; (b) the working memory, which contains information related to the present state of the problem solving, represented as patterns to be submitted to the production memory; and (c) a control regime that takes the patterns (representing the current state of the problem solving) from working memory to the set of production rules. When a production rule matches this pattern, it “fires” and produces a new pattern (reflecting the new state of the problem solving), which is then placed in working memory. This cycle
continues until no patterns in working memory match the production rules. The production system approach is used as a cognitive architecture by many researchers in cognitive science. See also adaptive production system; Soar.