very basic question

Leo,

> Suppose that:
> 	1. I have a KB in an ascii file called "myKB.ploom"
> 	2. Say myKB.ploom is in the kbs directory in powerloom

> Question:
> 	1. How do you load myKB.ploom? Please provide an example. I'm
> using 	(load "kbs/myKB.ploom"). Please tell me if this is
> incorrect.

Your load syntax is correct.  However, it will only work if you
started PowerLoom in the top-level `powerloom-x.y.z' directory, since
the relative pathname will be interpreted relative to your current
directory.  If you have problems with the relative pathname, try to
use an absolute one.

> 	2. Is there something like a relative path that I'm missing? 

See above.  Relative pathnames are fine as long as your current
working directory is the correct one for your pathname.

> 	3. When the file is loaded, is there a message saying "File
> successfully loaded"

There is no message, you'll know the file is loaded once you see the
`|=' prompt again and the system is ready for input.

> 	4. When the KB is loaded, can I pose a query in the
> listener/java 	shell? What would something like (retrieve) do?

Yes you can ask queries.  `retrieve' takes some open logical sentence
as an argument and retrieves bindings for the variables relative to
what's currently in the KB.  For example

    (retrieve all (person ?x))

will retrieve all people in the KB (given such a concept with
associated instances is defined).

> I hope this gives you an idea of where I'm hanging up. Any pointers to
> the documentation would be appreciated also.

See

        http://www.isi.edu/isd/LOOM/PowerLoom/
        http://www.isi.edu/isd/LOOM/PowerLoom/documentation/documentation.html

> Thanks.

Hans

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Hans Chalupsky, PhD                     USC Information Sciences Institute
<[email protected]>                          4676 Admiralty Way
(310) 448-8745                          Marina del Rey, CA 90292
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