JOSIE: an integration of specialized representation and reasoning tools

We present an overview of an implemented knowledge system development tool, called JOSIE, that provides a general framework for integrating specialized representation and reasoning facilities. In our presentation we emphasize the problematic issues that arise when integrating specialized representations and the distinctive features of the facilities included in the system. The current system includes assertion, retraction, and query facilities using a predicate-calculus style interface language, a default sentential representation for the interface language, an inference rule language and forward chaining interpreter based on the interface language, a justification-based truth maintenance system that supports restricted nonmonotonic proofs, a frame-based specialized representation system that provides arbitrarily nested slot descriptions and default slot values, and a constraint language and reasoner within the frame system that provides both constraint propagation and symbolic solution of linear equations via Gaussian elimination.