Browse Definitions :
Definition

backward chaining

Backward chaining is the logical process of inferring unknown truths from known conclusions by moving backward from a solution to determine the initial conditions and rules. Backward chaining is often applied in artificial intelligence (AI) and may be used along with its counterpart, forward chaining.

In AI, backward chaining is used to find the conditions and rules by which a logical result or conclusion was reached. An AI might utilize backward chaining to find information related to conclusions or solutions in reverse engineering or game theory applications. Backward chaining is used in automated theorem proving tools, inference engines, proof assistants and other artificial intelligence applications.

As a goal-driven and top-down form of reasoning, backward chaining usually employs a depth-first search strategy by starting from a conclusion, result or goal and going backward to infer the conditions from which it resulted. Backward chaining traces back through the code, for example, and looks through a rules table. In the rules table, it seeks out any actions that are specified in if-then statements, applying logic to determine which of the possible actions would have caused the end result. 

Backward chaining and its opposite, forward chaining, use deductive reasoning. Forward chaining is used to break down the logic sequence and work through it from beginning to end by attaching each step after the previous one is solved.

This was last updated in May 2018

Continue Reading About backward chaining

Networking
  • remote infrastructure management

    Remote infrastructure management, or RIM, is a comprehensive approach to handling and overseeing an organization's IT ...

  • port address translation (PAT)

    Port address translation (PAT) is a type of network address translation (NAT) that maps a network's private internal IPv4 ...

  • network fabric

    'Network fabric' is a general term used to describe underlying data network infrastructure as a whole.

Security
CIO
  • business goals

    A business goal is an endpoint, accomplishment or target an organization wants to achieve in the short term or long term.

  • vertical SaaS (software as a service)

    Vertical SaaS describes a type of software as a service solution created for a specific industry, such as retail, financial ...

  • business process mapping

    Business process mapping is the visual display of the steps within a business process showing how it's done from start to finish.

HRSoftware
  • employee onboarding and offboarding

    Employee onboarding involves all the steps needed to get a new employee successfully deployed and productive, while offboarding ...

  • skill-based learning

    Skill-based learning develops students through hands-on practice and real-world application.

  • gamification

    Gamification is a strategy that integrates entertaining and immersive gaming elements into nongame contexts to enhance engagement...

Customer Experience
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365

    Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based portfolio of business applications from Microsoft that are designed to help organizations improve ...

  • Salesforce Commerce Cloud

    Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a cloud-based suite of products that enable e-commerce businesses to set up e-commerce sites, drive ...

  • Salesforce DX

    Salesforce DX, or SFDX, is a set of software development tools that lets developers build, test and ship many kinds of ...

Close