Chat version 1.0.0 by Chris Busch o What is Chat? Chat is loosely based on eliza type programs. You type in a sentence and Chat will respond to you. Chat uses a large database to make responses, with and, or, random options. o What is Chat's database?: The large database included in this distribution is based off of a database included in a eliza program distributed by James Risner, risner@ms.uky.edu, Univ. of KY. The format is substantially different from his and the syntax is of my invention. o How do I create a database: A database is simple to create and the best way to learn to look at the database that I have included in my distribution. The following information gives some nitty-gritty on the syntax. There are several "operators" available: pattern matching: | or & and ~ and-not special pattern matching: ^ match start = exact match pass 1 scan operators: # remark " output to stderr ' output to stdout response operators: 1-9 weights are the numerals. % include the rest of the response. Some special notes: #,',",weights, and the first ( must be in column one. Syntax of a simple pattern match: ( A | B & C ~ ( D | E | F)) The above would mean if A or B and C and-not D or E or F was in the sentence then pick one of the responses. The responses take on the form: 9this is most likely 4somewhat likely 1least likely However, when a response is triggered, its weight is decreased by one. Since the above makes little sense, an example will illustrate the use of Chat databases better. --- example start --- #!/usr/bin/chat #change the above line if the chat executable is in a different place. #an example of a "Chat" database "this will be printed to stderr 'this will be printed to stdout (apple & ( orange | lemon ) ~ pine cones) 9You must have a citrus fruit and an apple. 3you do not have a pine cone but you have an apple. 2what was % suppose to mean? (=your sentence matches this one exactly) 2you are unimaginative. 9you lack imagination. --- end of example --- o How do I compile Chat? With a lot of luck!!!!! Try make, and if that doesn't work... o What is the history of Chat? I originally wrote Chat back in my freshman year of college in the spring of 1993. It went through minor revisions up until now. I decided in Dec 1994 (a year and a half later) to write this poor doc file and upload it. o How is Chat to be distributed? If you use Chat for any purpose, I would like to hear what you think of it. If you use the source code from Chat, I would like to be mentioned and given credit in the doc file for that program. However, I would prefer if my version of Chat was the only one in wide circulation. In addition to the above requests, I would like to distribute this code under the GNU license agreement. o Any disclaimers? Chris Busch will not be held responsible for the use or misuse of this software. No guarantees or warranties are made to usefulness of this program. o Where is the author? The author, Chris Busch, can be reached at the University of Minnesota Duluth, by the email address cbusch@d.umn.edu. -- Chris Busch "Slugs can also be trapped using a variety cbusch@ub.d.umn.edu of bait, including beer and http://ub.d.umn.edu:8080/~cbusch/ cocoa." - The Waste Paper