Expertsystemen

 

Graphs and sub graphs

All xxllnc Expertsystemen models are structured in graphs. A graph is a group of nodes that are connected to each other. Every graph has exactly one start node where it starts, but can have multiple end nodes. The nodes in their turn have the actions that make up the functionality of your model.

An example graph
An example graph

The three main elements of a xxllnc Expertsystemen model are graphs, nodes and actions. Each actions is contained in a nodes, and each nodes is contained in a graph. Therefore, you can always tell the difference between two nodes or actions. For example, node main.start is different from node g_subgraph.start. The same applies to actions: you can ask the same question in different nodes. For example, consider asking a name. You could have a node to ask one person’s name, and another to ask theirs partner’s. These questions could be called main.personal_details.name and main.partner.name.

Every model starts with just one graph: the graph called main. But as you add more and more nodes to your graph, you will quickly lose overview of your model. And even if you still understand it, it might be difficult for others to understand them! A solution to this problem are so-called ‘sub graphs’.

Sub graphs

Sub graphs are graphs within other graphs. For example, you can create a sub graph called g_personal_details that groups all questions about someone’s personal life. This will help you keep a better overview of your model. Furthermore, if you need the questions again - like with a partner - you can use the sub graph again!

adding a sub graph
adding a sub graph

Once you create a graph icon new sub graph, you will need to name it. It is a good practice to start new graphs with g_. This remind yourself and others that it is a sub graph. The Studio will create a callgraph icon Call graph action in the action list. You can find more about graphs and flows here.

You can navigate back and forth between graphs in different ways. By clicking on a sub graph, you enter that sub graph. If you want to jump back to the main graph, you can click on the main graphs (and other graphs) from the left side of the screen.

navigating through graphs
navigating through graphs

Another way to navigate, is by using the buttons ‘Home, ‘Previous’, and ‘Next’. These buttons can be found in the menu under Graph.

Bookmarks

Another way to navigate through the graphs is the use of bookmarks. You can create a bookmark by pressing [Ctrl+Shift+1] and return to that bookmark by pressing [Ctrl+1]. You can use 9 bookmarks, namely 1 through 9. If you make a bookmark, e.g. by pressing [Ctrl+Shift+3], a number 3 will appear on the current node. You can return from anywhere in the model to this node by just pressing [Ctrl+3]. You can remove the bookmark by just pressing the ctrl + shift combination again, or assigning the bookmark to another position. Bookmarks are not saved, so the are gone as soon as you close the Studio.

Bookmark on node information
Bookmark on node information