Initialisation Variables and Frames

MD2 still supports initialization variables but in a different way then previous Match versions. In MD2 any standard variable can now be used as an initialization variable. Furthermore, since frames contain variables, the entire frame can be inserted for all its variables to be initialized by the user or another inference method.

Inserting initialisation variables and frames

Initialization variables are defined at the table level in the table properties where they should be processed. During consultation all initialization variables listed in the table properties will be processed before the first condition of the table.

To add initialization variables either right click on the background of the table editor and select Properties... or (with the desired table in focus) click Edit > Properties... from the main menu. Alternatively you can have the desired table in focus or selected in the Navigator. Then click Edit > Properties...

In the General tab of Table Properties, click Insert Frame or Insert Variable to show the insert dialogue. Select the desired frames or variables from the list and click Insert to add them to the table.

Identifying Tables with Initialisation Variables

A knowledge table that has been assigned initialisation variables can be identified by its noticeably thicker top border. This will assist the knowledge engineer during modeling and maintenance of knowledge bases.