On Generality and Problem Solving : a Case Study Using the Dendral Program. AIM-131

Heuristic DENDRAL is a computer program written to solve problems of
inductive inference in organic chemistry. This paper will use the
design of Heuristic DENDRAL and its performance on different problems
for a discussion of the following topics:

l. the design for generality;
2. the performance problems attendent upon too
much generality
3. the coupling of expertise to the general problem solving
processes,
4. the symbiotic relationship between generality and
expertnness of problem solving systems.

We conclude the paper with a view of the design for a general problem
solver that is a variant of the "big switch" theory of generality.