Why do we really need a rule language?
In the real world the target has a tendency to change all the time. If you can't adjust to the changes quickly, you end up with the perfect solution to the wrong problem. From our ongoing service work we know that all our clients appreciate and actively use the simulation and change capabilities that Rave provides. More than half of our clients have actually been able to estimate the economical consequence of the added value that Rave brings. Of course it differs on a case-by-case basis, but around 2 % on average is a substantial saving, when it comes on top of the initial savings that good optimization provides.

Why is it so hard to create a rule language? Why don't we use Java or C++ instead?
Modelling rules with a domain specific language or even with a general programming language is not so hard. But to get the rules and cost calculations to work together with optimization is difficult. And to make it possible for our clients to constantly add rules and cost parameters has required long development. The Rave language is tailor-made for describing properties in the transportation industry, while working very efficiently together with optimization.

What is the most important development that you see in the future?
Of course it is an impossible task, but if I shall mention one particular area that I personally believe will be more important in the future, it is modularization of the Rave knowledge base; The more our clients use Rave in many applications, the more important it becomes to provide isolated parts for industrial rules, quality concepts, costs, etc. This is partly a matter of making it easy to maintain iso-lated components, but also a matter of quickly being able to exchange parts of the knowledge base, when performing simulations.

What are you working with now?
At this very moment I am personally working with func-tionality in the Rave language that makes it possible to display agreement text on-line to the planners. Having on-line access to the agreement texts directly from the system is handy, especially when explaining restric-tion of the solution, for example to crew members.

Rave@SAS Commuter

Rave - Carmen's best kept secret!

Anders Forsman Product Manager Rave