What is the primary function of an expert system's knowledge base?

The primary function of an expert system's knowledge base is to hold and organize facts and information provided by human experts. This knowledge base serves as the core component of the expert system, containing rules, heuristics, and specific knowledge required to solve problems in a particular domain. It enables the system to simulate the decision-making ability of a human expert by storing detailed information that can be accessed and utilized during the reasoning process.

The knowledge base is essential because it essentially determines the system's overall effectiveness and accuracy in providing solutions and recommendations. It acts as a repository for well-defined information that is critical for the resolution of problems, enabling the expert system to analyze situations and derive conclusions based on stored knowledge.

While supporting user interactions, extracting information, and generating output decisions are important functions, they rely on the knowledge base to operate effectively. Without a robust and well-organized knowledge base, an expert system would lack the necessary information to assist users and make informed decisions.