Abstract: A method for extracting a preferred set of textual records from a database includes the following features. Priority values are assigned to each of a plurality of predefined category structures. Textual records are assigned a relevance value with respect to each category structure. If a record's relevance value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, that record is associated with the category structure. Each category has a list of associated textual records which are retrieved. Textual records are selected from the set of retrieved textual records and assembled into a set. Information on how the subscriber uses the set is gathered, and new rankings for the category structure are computed.

Abstract: A knowledge base system includes separate expert user and end user interface facilities which communicate with the system's inference engine and knowledge base. Linking means operatively interconnect the expert user facility to the end user interface facility enabling the simulation of the end user environment while the knowledge base is being concurrently edited or modified. Such simulation is carried out by placing the end user interface facility in an edit mode of operation during which the user can stop at any point. In response to a single keybgoard command, an expert user can switch control back to the expert user facility to a point within the knowledge base selected relative to the context of the operation which was being run thereby facilitating the maintenance and updating of the knowledge base.