Rule-Based Control
Rule-based control is a method of system automation that uses a set of predefined logical rules to make decisions or control processes, often implemented through if-then-else statements. It is commonly applied in expert systems, industrial automation, and business process management to handle deterministic scenarios where outcomes are based on clear conditions. This approach contrasts with data-driven methods like machine learning, as it relies on explicit human-defined knowledge rather than learned patterns.
Developers should learn rule-based control when building systems that require transparent, interpretable decision-making, such as in regulatory compliance tools, diagnostic systems, or workflow automation where rules are well-understood and stable. It is particularly useful in domains like finance for fraud detection, manufacturing for process control, or customer service for automated responses, as it allows for easy auditing and modification of logic without retraining models.