An expert system shell is an application or set of software tools, that make it easier both to create and to execute an expert system. This will normally include components to store a knowledge base of facts and rules, a reasoning system, an explanation component and a user interface. The system will need to be configured for each new knowledge domain and application needs, but reduces the effort needed to create a functioning expert system.
While using a shell is typically faster and easier than creating a bespoke expert system, it will also have limitations. In particular, the type of reasoning may be fixed by the specific shell, and different shells may be more suitable for different domains.
Used in Chap. 18: page 277
Also known as expert system shell, expert system shells, expert systems shells