The Nonlinear Nature of Plans

Abstract

We usually think of plans as linear sequences of actions. This is because plans are usually executed one step at a time. But plans themselves are not constrained by physical limitations of linearity. This paper describes a new information structure, called the procedural net, that represents a plan as a partial ordering of actions with respect to time. By avoiding premature commitments to a particular order for achieving subgoals, a problem-solving system using this representation can deal easily and directly with problems that are otherwise very difficult to solve.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA458627

Entities

People

  • Earl D. Sacerdoti

Organizations

  • SRI International

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DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Availability
  • Classification
  • Contracts
  • Information Operations
  • Instructions
  • Linearity
  • Monitoring
  • Security
  • Sequences
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  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Mathematical Modeling and Probability Theory.
  • Systems Analysis and Design