Xref: utzoo comp.ai:2142 comp.lang.prolog:1198 comp.lang.lisp:1077 Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!vsi1!daver!mfgfoc!mike From: mike@mfgfoc.UUCP (Mike Thompson) Newsgroups: comp.ai,comp.lang.prolog,comp.lang.lisp Subject: How do I learn about AI, Prolog, and/or Lisp Keywords: AI Prolog Lisp Message-ID: <398@mfgfoc.UUCP> Date: 19 Aug 88 00:16:39 GMT Organization: FOCUS Semiconductor Sys., Sunnyvale, CA Lines: 38 I have just graduated with a B.S. degree in Computer Engineering and I am finding that I am extremely interested in A.I. and Expert Systems. Unfortunately, my education did not touch on any of these areas (which I think is almost a crime these days) so I guess I am going to have to take the initiative, and teach myself. The company I now work for could benefit from somebody knowledgeable in this area and my manager is encouraging me to learn an AI language by offering to pay for any classes I take from a local college. I have three question which I hope one of you can answer: 1. I have an IBM/XT at home with the newest version of TURBO PROLOG. Can I use this system to gain an understanding of AI applications such as expert systems? If so, what books can help me? I have not seen Turbo Prolog mentioned in this newsgroup and I fear that it is considered by experts to be a toy Prolog or an implementation so neutered as to be worthless. 2. Does anyone know of classes offered in my area (I live in Los Altos, California) at local colleges which would teach me Prolog? I have already checked local community colleges, but their classes are only on languages such as Fortran, Cobal, Pascal or 'C'. Would I be better taking a more general class on AI instead of a specific language? Should I consider Lisp over Prolog? (It came with GNU Emacs and is available on my Unix system at work.) 3. What is the best way to get introduced to the AI field? I'm I taking the right approach? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Mike Thompson --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael P. Thompson FOCUS Semiconductor Systems, Inc. net: (sun!daver!mfgfoc!engfoc!mike) 570 Maude Court att: (408) 738-0600 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 USA