1. Programming Languages 2e Tucker and Noonan
Chapter 15 – part 2
Logic Programming
“Q: How many legs does a dog have if you call its tail a leg?
A: Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it one.”
Abraham Lincoln

2. Review Prolog is a logic-based language
Its syntax is based on Horn clauses, a predicate form derived from the predicate calculus.
It is also a declarative language
Prolog programs describe goals and provide facts and rules for the Prolog system to use in searching for a goal solution.
Compare to imperative languages, which describe algorithms and specify the exact steps required to achieve a goal.

3. Review
Propositions: statements which are either true or false; e.g., “my dog is black”
Propositions can be represented by symbols, combined with logical operators, and have truth values based on the individual propositions; e.g. p Λ q is true only if both p and q are true.
Predicates: Propositions with variables, and/or quantifiers: (for all) (there exists)
x(dog(x) Λ black(x)); (x)(dog(x) → black(x))

4. Review: Basic Program Elements
A Prolog program consists of terms:
Atoms: literal strings or numbers
Variables: consist of letters and underscores, must start with an upper-case letter
Atoms are distinguished from variables because atoms start with a lower-case letter
Prolog variables aren’t the same as variables in imperative languages; they don’t represent values. They are temporarily bound to objects/values during resolution.
Structures: functor(parameters)
Structures are predicates

5. Review: Facts and Rules
Prolog facts are headless Horn clauses:
student(jack, cs424).
sweet(sugar).
Prolog rules are headed Horn clauses:
fattening(X) :- sweet(X).
driversLicense(X) :- sixteen(X), passTest(X).

6. Review: Queries Prolog programs consist of facts and rules.
Users describe goal states by posing queries.
Goals are described by assertions that state the characteristics of the desired goal.
Using the facts and rules in the program, the Prolog system attempts to find a solution to the query.

7. Review
Prolog uses resolution theorem proving, instantiation, and unification to find goal states.
The search process is a backtracking approach: in case one goal cannot be satisfied, back up to the nearest previous goal state and try another approach.

8. Example Suppose a program has these facts & rules:
mother(sue). mother(jane). female(X) :- mother(X).
To prove/disprove the goal female(jane).
First find the fact mother(sue). Reject.
Next find mother(jane). Matches on jane
“Unify” mother(X) in the rule and mother(jane) in the fact (by instantiating X with jane) to infer female(jane).

9. Breadth-first v Depth-first Search
Suppose a query has compound goals (several propositions must be satisfied)
Depth-first searches prove the first goal before looking at the others.
Breadth-first works on goals in parallel.
Prolog uses the depth-first approach.

10. Backtracking
When a compound goal is being proved, it may be that a subgoal cannot be shown true.
In that case, Prolog will back up and try to find another solution to a previous subgoal. *

11. A Partial Family Tree
Figure 15.3

12. A Small Family “Tree”
Figure 15.4

13. Processing Queries
?- father(X, sue) The query is satisfied with the first comparison. X is instantiated with john.
?- mother(sue, X) Satisfied with X = nancy, X = jeff
?- mother(alice, ron) Fails

14. ?- grandparent(Who, ron).
Instantiating grandparent rule from query:
Grandparent(Who,ron): parent(Who,X),parent(X,ron).
First, find a fact that satisfies parent (Who,X)
This entails finding a fact to satisfy either father (Who, X) or mother(Who, X) First try: father(john, sue) - “father” rule is first
Next, find a fact that satisfies parent(sue, ron)
This does not succeed,

15. ?- grandparent(Who, ron).
Must satisfy both subgoals with same values
Grandparent(Who,ron):- parent(Who,X),parent(X,ron).
The first attempt, instantiating parent(Who, X) as parent(john,sue), failed because the second subgoal, parent(sue,ron), could not be proved.
Backtrack to parent(Who, X) and use father(john, bill) fact next.
Instantiate Who=john, X=bill, and try to satisfy second subgoal, parent(bill, ron).
Success; because father(bill, ron) is a fact.
Who = john, so grandparent(john, ron)

16. Prolog Lists The list is Prolog’s basic data structure
Lists are a series of Prolog terms, separated by commas
Each list element can be a(n)
atom
variable
sublist
etc.

17. Examples of Lists The empty list: [ ]
List with embedded list: [girls, [like, boys]]
List with variables: [x, V1, y, V2, [A, B]]
V1, V2, A, and B are variables that may be instantiated with data at a later time.
Multi-type lists: [boy, [1, 2, 3], ran]
[A, _, Z]
The _ means “don’t care” – sometimes referred to as an unbound variable.

18. Working with Lists [Head|Tail] notation simplifies processing:
Head represents the first list element, Tail represents everything else.
Head can be any Prolog term (list, variable, atom, predicate, etc.)
If L = [a, b, c] then Head = a and Tail = [b,c]
Tail is always another list.
What is the head of [a]? The tail?

19. The append Function
append is a built-in Prolog function that concatenates two lists.
append(A, B, L) concatenates the lists A and B and returns them as L.
append([my, cat], [is, fat], L). yields L = [my, cat, is, fat]

20. The Append Function append(L1, L2, L3): This definition says:
append([], X, X). %base case
append([Head|Tail], Y, [Head|Z])
:- append(Tail, Y, Z).
This definition says:
The empty list concatenated with any list (X) returns an unchanged list (X again).
If Tail is concatenated with Y to get Z, then a list one element larger [Head | Tail] can be concatenated with Y to get [Head | Z].

21. ?- Append([english, russian], [spanish], L).
H=english, T=[russian], Y=[spanish], L=[english,Z]
and Z = [russian, spanish]
Append([russian],[spanish], [Z]).
H = russian, T=[ ], Y=[spanish], Z=[russian|Z1] 2
Append([ ], [spanish], [Z1]) So Z1= [spanish]
X=[spanish], Z1=[spanish] 3
Append([ ], [spanish], [spanish]).

22. Recursion/ member
The function returns ‘yes’ if x is a member of a given list. member(X, [X | _ ]). member(X, [ _ | Y]) :- member(X, Y).

23. Member(X,Y) The test for membership succeeds if either:
X is the head of the list [X |_]
X is not the head of the list [_| Y] , but X is a member of the list Y.
Notes: pattern matching governs tests for equality.
Don’t care entries (_) mark parts of a list that aren’t important to the rule.

24. Using append prefix(X, Z) :- append(X, Y, Z).
(finds all prefixes of a list Z)
suffix(Y, Z) :- append(X, Y, Z).
(finds all suffixes of Z)

25. Naming Lists
Defining a set of lists: a([single]). a([a, b, c]). a([cat, dog, sheep]).
When a query such as a(L), prefix(X, L). Is posed, all three lists will be processed.
Other lists, such as b([red, yellow, green]), would be ignored.

26. A Sample List Program a([single]). a([a, b, c]). a([cat, dog, sheep]).
prefix(X, Z) :- append(X, _, Z).
suffix(Y, Z) :- append(_, Y, Z).
% To make queries about lists in the database:
% suffix(X, [the, cat, is, fat]).
% a(L), prefix(X, L).

27. Sample Output ?- a(L), prefix(X, L). L = [single] X = [] ;
X = [single] ;
L = [a, b, c]
X = [a] ;
X = [a, b] ;
X = [a, b, c] ;
L = [cat, dog, sheep]
X = []
Based on the program on
the previous slide:
a([single]).
a([a, b, c]).
a([cat, dog, sheep]).
prefix(X, Z) :- append(X, _, Z).
suffix(Y, Z) :- append(_, Y, Z).

28. Sample Output 35 ?- a(L), append([cat], L, M). L = [single]
M = [cat, single] ;
L = [a, b, c]
M = [cat, a, b, c] ;
L = [cat, dog, sheep]
M = [cat, cat, dog, sheep] ;

29. The Trace Function
To see the dynamics of a function call, use the trace function. For example,given the following function:
factorial(0, 1).
factorial(N, Result):-
N > 0,
M is N-1,
factorial(M, SubRes),
Result is N * SubRes. %is ~ assignment
?- trace(factorial/2).

30. Tracing Output These are temporary variables ?- factorial(4, X).
Call: ( 7) factorial(4, _G173)
Call: ( 8) factorial(3, _L131)
Call: ( 9) factorial(2, _L144)
Call: ( 10) factorial(1, _L157)
Call: ( 11) factorial(0, _L170)
Exit: ( 11) factorial(0, 1)
Exit: ( 10) factorial(1, 1)
Exit: ( 9) factorial(2, 2)
Exit: ( 8) factorial(3, 6)
Exit: ( 7) factorial(4, 24)
X = 24
These are
levels in the
search tree

31. 15.2.2: Practical Aspects 15.3: Example Applications
Logic Programming
15.2.2: Practical Aspects
15.3: Example Applications

32. Simple Arithmetic
Integer “variables” and integer operations are possible, but imperative language “assignment statements” don’t exist.

33. Sample Program speed(fred, 60). speed(carol, 75). time(fred, 20).
time(carol, 21).
distance(X, Y) :- speed(X, Speed), time(X, Time), Y is Speed * Time.
area_square(S, A) :- A is S * S.

34. Prolog Operators
is can be used to cause a variable to be temporarily instantiated with a value.
Does not have the same effect as an assignment statement, because the effect isn’t permanent.
The not operator is used to indicate goal failure. For example not(P) is true when P is false.

35. Arithmetic Originally, used prefix notation +(7, X)
Modern versions have infix notation X is Y * C + 3.
Qualification: Y and C must be instantiated, as in the Speed program, but X cannot be (It’s not a traditional assignment statement).
X = X + Y is illegal.
X is X + Y is illegal. “Arguments are not sufficiently instantiated”

36. More About Arithmetic Example of simple arithmetic
?- x is
x = 10
Yes
Arithmetic operators: +, -, *, /, ^ (exponentiation)
Relational operators: <, >, =, =<, >=, \=

37. Revisiting the Trace Function
At the prompt, type “trace.”
Then type the query.
Prolog will show the rules it uses and the instantiation of unbound constants.

38. Evaluation of clauses is from left to right.
Revisiting The Factorial Function
Evaluation of clauses is from left to right.
Note the use of is to temporarily assign
values to M and Result

39. Trace of Factorial (4)

40. Other Features cut (!) – controls backtracking not( ) – negation
assert(C) – add to database
retract(C) – removes from database

41. The cut & not Operators The cut (!) is used to control backtracking.
It tells Prolog to stop at this point (if the goals have succeeded once).
Reasons: Faster execution, saves memory
Not(P) will succeed when P fails.
In some places it can replace the ! Operator.

42. Example: Revised Factorial
factorial(N, 1):- N < 1, !.
factorial(N, Result):- M is N – 1,
factorial(M, P),
Result is N * P.
factorial(N, 1):- N < 1.
factorial(N, Result):- not(N < 1),
M is N–1,
factorial(M, P),
Result is N * P.

43. When Cut Might Be Used (Clocksin & Mellish)
To tell Prolog that it has found the right rule:
“if you get this far, you have picked the correct rule for this goal.”
To tell Prolog to fail a particular goal without trying other solutions:
“if you get to here, you should stop trying to satisfy the goal.”
“if you get to here, you have found the only solution to this problem and there is no point in ever looking for alternatives.”

44. f(X, 0) :- X < 3, !.
f(X, 2) :- 3 =< X, X < 6, !.
f(X, 4) :- 6 =< X.
14 ?- consult('C:/Temp/prologProgs/cut_example.pl').
% C:/Temp/prologProgs/cut_example.pl compiled 0.00 sec, 8 bytes
true
15 ?- f(1, Y), 2 < Y.
false
16 ?- X = 4, f(X, Y), 2 < Y.
?- X = 4, f(X, Y).
X = 4,
Y = 2.
Since the three rules above are mutually exclusive, once one rule succeeds
there is no need to try another. In the first example, rule 1 succeeds ( X < 3).
If we try rules 2 and 3 they will fail.
In the second case (X = 4) the second rule succeeds.
The cut symbol prevents further attempts that will fail anyway.

45. Family Tree – Assert() 15 ?- child(jeff).
ERROR: Undefined procedure: child/1
16 ?- assert(child(jeff)).
Yes
17 ?- child(jeff).

46. Assert and Retract
More sophisticated uses: assert can be embedded in a function definition so new facts and rules can be added to the database in real time.
Useful for learning programs, for example.
Retract(C) deletes a clause that matches C

47. Symbolic Differentiation Rules
Figure 15.9

48. Prolog Symbolic Differentiator
Figure 15.10

49. Search Tree for the Query d(x, 2*x+1, Ans)
Figure 15.11

50. Executing a Prolog Program
Create a file containing facts and rules; e.g., familytree.pl or download the sample program from the class web page.
From the Start menu select SWI-Prolog/Prolog
Under the file drop-down menu select consult to load the file into the interpreter.
From the Start menu select consult and browse to the file you want to execute. Double click and it will compile and be ready to query.
Type queries and the interpreter will try to find answers
?- owner(X, Y).
See the web page for more complete instructions.

51. SWIplEdit “compile” error
If SWI-Prolog finds an error in the .pl file it will give a message such as ERROR: c:/temp/prologprogs/remove.pl: 18:0: Syntax error: Illegal start of term (18 is the line number)

52. Runtime Error Message
The function samelength was called with one parameter when it needed 2: 21 ?- samelength(X). ERROR:Undefined procedure: samelength/1 ERROR:However, there are definitions for: samelength/2

53. Runtime Errors
Here, the error is an error of omission: 22 ?- samelength([a, b, c,],[a, b])
| Queries must end with a period. If you hit enter without typing a period SWIpl just thinks you aren’t through.

54. Using SWI Prolog
If there is an error that you can’t figure out (for example you don’t get any answers, you don’t get a prompt, typing a semicolon doesn’t help) try “interrupt” under the Run button.
If changes are made to the program, don’t forget to “consult” again.

55. Test Review Chapter 5 (Last Half) Chapter 6.1 (Type Systems)
Chapter (Semantics)
Chapter 12 (Imperative Programming)
Chapter 13: (Object Oriented Programming)
Chapter 15 (Logic Programming)
Python & Scripting Languages (from the notes).

56. Homework Questions I Might Have Assigned
In C-like languages, when an expression consists of two or more sub-expressions , such as a + f(a) or x*y + x*y++ or x/3 – y + 4(x+y), the sub-expressions are evaluated
Left-to-right
Right-to-left
It depends on the precedence of the operators in the sub-expression
It depends on the compiler.

57. Homework Questions I Might Have Assigned - Functions
int a = 0;
…..
11 int newVal(int c)
12 {
void main ( )
return 0; }
Show the stack of activation records as it would exist when line 8 has executed but before line 9 executes. Your answer should follow the format in Figure 9.8
Show the stack again after the execution of line 23, but before the main function terminates.

58. Homework Questions I Might Have Assigned
Consider the following Horn clauses:
parent(X, Y):- father(X, Y).
grandparent(X,Z):- parent(X,Y), parent(Y,Z).
Use resolution, as in Prolog, to deduce a new proposition from the two above

59. Homework Questions I Might Have Assigned
Write a rule for the family tree data base that defines a sister relation
For example – the sister of X has the same father or mother.