General Problem Solver

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General Problem Solver (GPS) is a

solver machine. In contrast to the former Logic Theorist project, the GPS works with means–ends analysis.[1]

Overview

Any problem that can be expressed as a set of

predicate logic and Euclidean geometry problem spaces are prime examples of the domain of applicability of GPS. It was based on Simon and Newell's theoretical work on logic machines. GPS was the first computer program that separated its knowledge of problems (rules represented as input data) from its strategy of how to solve problems (a generic solver engine). GPS was implemented in the third-order programming language, IPL.[2]

While GPS solved simple problems such as the

IDA*
).

The user defined objects and operations that could be done on the objects, and GPS generated heuristics by means–ends analysis in order to solve problems. It focused on the available operations, finding what inputs were acceptable and what outputs were generated. It then created subgoals to get closer and closer to the goal.

The GPS paradigm eventually evolved into the Soar architecture for artificial intelligence.

See also

References