Parallel Processing in Soar
Parallel Processing in Soar
Although Soar has usually been implemented on serial computers,
the elaboration phase of the
decision cycle
represents an effectively parallel effort to bring distal knowledge
(represented as the
productions in long-term memory)
to bear (by adding elements to working memory). Since the
modifications to working memory during elaboration is monotonic
(elements are not deleted or changed), race conditions are not a
problem. However, because elaboration is normally performed on
serial computers, the practicality of using Soar for systems in which
a great number of productions fire in a single elaboration cycle
becomes an
issue.
The firing of productions during elaboration occurs automatically, without
any deliberate action. Thus, this part of the decision cycle can
be considered as part of Soar's unconscious -- it occurs without Soar's
awareness of the activity (only the result is apparent) or deliberate
control.
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