Abstract: A framework for use with object-oriented programming systems provides an expert system shell that executes with a rule set developed by a framework user. The framework includes a condition manager object that keeps track of what conditions are true at any time and a rules compiler that processes the rules so they can be used by the condition manager. The conditions are a set of object classes that are organized into an inheritance hierarchy for use by the condition manager. A detector determines when to set conditions to true. When a condition state is changed, the condition manager realizes that one or more rules might indicate a particular action might now be appropriate. Therefore, the condition manager checks the rules against the conditions each time a condition changes. The expert system developer provides the set of rules and conditions appropriate for the knowledge domain of the expert system under development.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method is provided for monitoring a remote computer to determine the existence of a status signal indicating that the remote computer is operational. The monitoring computer interprets a sudden absence of the status signal within a predetermined time period as a non-operational status of the remote computer. In response to the non-operational status of the remote computer, the monitoring computer generates an alert sequence to alert personnel that the remote computer is non-operational. The alert sequence may alert various personnel, including the user of the remote computer or security personnel, depending upon the time of day that the alert sequence is generated. Inputs from the user determine the frequency of the monitoring process and also the method of contacting personnel upon an alert sequence. The user may selectively start and stop the monitoring process as desired for minimal disruption of computer operation and workflow.

Abstract: A framework for use with object-oriented programming systems provides an expert system shell that executes with a rule set developed by a framework user. The framework includes a condition manager object that keeps track of what conditions are true at any time and a rules compiler that processes the rules so they can be used by the condition manager. The conditions are a set of object classes that are organized into an inheritance hierarchy for use by the condition manager. A detector determines when to set conditions to true. When a condition state is changed, the condition manager realizes that one or more rules might indicate a particular action might now be appropriate. Therefore, the condition manager checks the rules against the conditions each time a condition changes. The expert system developer provides the set of rules and conditions appropriate for the knowledge domain of the expert system under development.

Abstract: An intelligent creator design pattern for instantiating a new application subclass of an application base class without revising existing application code in an object-oriented programming system. The intelligent creator design pattern of this invention specifies a base class to be inherited by an intelligent creator subclass added to an existing application to instantiate a new application subclass responsive to recognition of predetermined application input data without modification to the remainder of the application code. A dynamic list object that includes methods for autonomously updating a list of references to all intelligent creator subclasses eliminates knowledge of specific creator subclasses from the application. The dynamic list object code need not be updated when adding creator subclasses because the list object is self-updating responsive to the recognition methods of each new creator subclass added to the application.