VP-Expert/SQL - Advanced Expert System Development Tool
                         Copyright 1989 David Batterson

     Expert systems are quickly becoming a major software tool for various
professions, such as medicine, engineering, law, agriculture and the military.
     The name, expert system, isn't derived from the observation that you have
to be an EXPERT to use the system!  However, expert systems are not for Sunday
hackers; they are heavyweight programs.
     According to Jeffrey Hsu and Joseph Kusnan, writing in "The Fifth
Generation: The Future of Computer Technology" [reviewed in PC REVIEWS], "in a
sense, expert systems transfer the information found in a human expert into a
computerized form, making it able to solve problems in a certain specialized
area in much the same way that a trained professional would."
     An examples of an expert system is MYCIN, which contains knowledge about
bacterial infections, and can diagnose and suggest treatments.  Another is
PROSPECTOR, used by geologists to find ore deposits.
     Adam Osborne's Paperback Software (publisher of VP-Planner, VP-Graphics,
and Executive Writer) has created VP-Expert/SQL, which "makes intelligent
expert system front ends to SQL databases available for the first time on
standard microcomputers."
     SQL, standing for Structured Query Language, provides standard commands
for accessing relational databases.  IBM developed SQL for use in the mainframe
database program called DB2.
     Paperback has added SQL database server support to its best-selling expert
system development tool, VP-Expert, using Gupta Technology's SQLBase database
server.
     Basically, what VP-Expert/SQL does is allow you to develop expert systems
on your PC, and then access SQL databases on LANs, minis and mainframes.  It
also retrieves information and sends it to files compatible with Lotus 1-2-3,
dBASE, VP-Planner Plus and VP-Info.
     The user doesn't have to have any knowledge of SQL.  Instead you make
requests via usual database commands, which are then translated into SQL
automatically.
     One of the main purposes of VP-Expert/SQL is to gather specific and
usable information from the huge amounts of data accumulated in various file
formats, and deliver it fast!
     Paperback indicated how banks could use VP-Expert/SQL.  They could do a
quick search of many thousands of files containing loan information, analyze
the demographics of deadbeats, and save a dollop of dollars!
     VP-Expert/SQL includes the enhanced version of VP-Expert 2.1.  It also
bundles, for a limited time, the Single User version of SQLBase.  The suggested
list price is $695.
     VP-Expert/SQL requires at least a 286 with 640K, 384K extended (not
expanded) memory, DOS 3.1 or higher, and hard disk with 2 MB available.
     For information, contact Paperback Software International, 2830 Ninth St.,
Berkeley, CA  94710; 415-644-2116, orders: 800-255-3242, FAX: 415-644-8241.
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     David Batterson is no "expert" on any "system," but writes articles and
reviews on PC applications.  Contact him via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.