WebProNews

A new software language may give computers better comprehension of what their human operators mean.

Most people understand instructions well enough to carry out simple tasks. And more complex tasks can be handled when clear instructions are at hand.

Computers lack the range of conceptual understanding that humans have, and must be programmed in exacting detail to carry out specific tasks. Researchers working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, along with researchers in France, Germany, Japan, and the UK, have developed a context-based language.

The language, released as ISO 18629, has manufacturing environments as its focus. Process planning, validation, scheduling, and control have been mentioned as processes suited for the language.

Researchers developing the language programmed in almost 300 concepts like "duration" and "sequence." A computer programmed with this language will function like a rudimentary artificial intelligence, acting on a word's meaning. It will also be able to understand sequence words like "before."

Software vendors will have to wait for final ISO approval before they begin designing systems and solutions using the new language.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.