Talking to UNIX in English

TLDR

UC is a natural‑language help facility that advises users on using the UNIX operating system, allowing queries about command usage, terminology, and debugging. UC’s architecture comprises a language analyzer and generator, a context and memory model, a common‑sense planner, extensive UNIX and English knowledge bases, goal analysis, and a knowledge‑acquisition system, all accessed through a phrasal‑analysis interface that integrates semantic, grammatical, ellipsis‑resolution, and reference‑disambiguation capabilities.

Abstract

UC is a natural language help facility which advises users in using the UNIX operating system. Users can query UC about how to do things, command names and formats, online definitions of UNIX or general operating systems terminology, and debugging problems in using commands. UC is comprised of the following components: a language analyzer and generator, a context and memory model, an experimental common-sense planner, highly extensible knowledge bases on both the UNIX domain and the English language, a goal analysis component, and a system for acquisition of new knowledge through instruction in English. The language interface of UC is based on a “phrasal analysis” approach which integrates semantic, grammatical and other types of information. In addition, it includes capabilities for ellipsis resolution and reference disambiguation.