What is Forward Chaining?

John Spacey, updated on August 06, 2016

Forward chaining is code or artificial intelligence that deduces things from known facts. The following is a simple example.

a. Food costs money

b. Rice is food

Inference: rice costs money

Fuzzy Logic

Forward chaining is a type of logic known as inference, the process of taking valid statements to produce new valid statements. Many systems of logic only understand true or false. Fuzzy logic is a term for logic that can handle the grey areas inbetween. It is common for forward chaining to be based on fuzzy logic. The following is an example.

a. Most food prices increased recently

b. Rice is food

Inference: the price of rice probably increased recently

Forward Chaining vs Backward Chaining

Forward chaining develops new facts to explore information in order to solve problems. If you have no direct information about the price of rice, you might be able to figure it out based on information you do possess.

Backward chaining is the opposite approach to logic that begins with what is unknown. For example, you might begin with a goal and try to figure out how to reach it. The choice between forward chaining and backward chaining generally depends on the type of problem you're trying to solve. It is also common to use both approaches to work on a problem from different directions. The following is an example of backward chaining.

Start: How do I get to London?

A: If I drive I will end up in the ocean

B: If I take a boat it will take weeks

C: If I fly it will take hours

Decision: The best way to London is to fly

Overview: Forward Chaining
Type	Logic Algorithm
Definition	Deriving new facts from what you know in order to solve problems or make decisions.
Related Concepts	Opportunistic Reasoning Thought Processes Algorithms Artificial Intelligence Logic