Prolog is a logic programming language associated with artificial intelligence and computational linguistics. Unlike many other programming languages, Prolog is intended primarily as a declarative programming language, where the program logic is expressed in terms of relations, represented as facts and rules. A computation is initiated by running a query over these relations. Prolog has its roots in first-order logic, a formal logic.
Some key features of Prolog include:
- Declarative programming: Prolog is intended primarily as a declarative programming language, where the program logic is expressed in terms of relations, represented as facts and rules.
- Logic programming: Prolog is a logic programming language, meaning that it is based on formal logic. This makes Prolog programs very concise and easy to read.
- Efficient programming: Prolog is also a very efficient programming language, able to solve problems that would be very difficult to solve in other languages.
Prolog has been used for theorem proving, expert systems, term rewriting, type systems, and automated planning, as well as its original intended field of use, natural language processing. Modern Prolog environments support the creation of graphical user interfaces, as well as administrative and networked applications. As a general-purpose language, Prolog also provides various built-in predicates to perform routine activities like input/output, using graphics, and otherwise communicating with the operating system.
In summary, Prolog is a logic programming language that is particularly well-suited for developing programs that require significant symbolic computation, and is associated with artificial intelligence and computational linguistics.
