[alicebot-general] [alicebot-style] what happens to pattern or pattern side that

[Noel Bush]

Hi Gary,

According to 8.1.1 in the spec:

  SimplePattExpr   ::=
        SimplePattExprConst (#x20 SimplePattExprConst)+

But this is slightly incorrect; the "+" (one or more) should be a "*" 
(zero or more), i.e.:

  SimplePattExpr   ::=
        SimplePattExprConst (#x20 SimplePattExprConst)*

In either case, a null pattern is not allowed.  Neither is a null that 
(since pattern-side that uses aiml-pattern-expression also).

Actually, this brings up another probable error in the spec: as written, 
it would permit <bot/> elements in the <that/> element.  I don't recall 
this ever being discussed, so it's a candidate for clarification.

The schema for AIML at 
http://docs.aitools.org/programd/resources/schema/AIML.xsd correctly 
uses a zero-or-more wildcard, and does not permit null pattern 
expressions.  So if you use this to validate your AIML, you will not end 
up with null patterns or thats.

The question of a null template is not as clearly indicated by the spec, 
and I know that on occasion I have used one.  The schema referenced 
above also permits empty templates.  This is probably another open 
question to add to the list.

Noel

P.S.  Wow -- the alicebot-style list!  This one hasn't seen much 
activity at all in the last half decade.  I'm thinking that, what with 
the alicebot-general list being so light in traffic these days, we 
hardly need the granularity of all these multiple lists. 
alicebot-patterns, anyone?  :-)

Gary Dubuque wrote:
> Given:
> 
> <category>
> <pattern/>
> <that/>
> <template/>
> </category>
> 
> What happens when pattern is null?  It cannot match - right?  Is it allowed?
> 
> What happens what pattern side that is null (found a few categories in an
> old AAA set like this)?  Does it turn into * or is it illegal?
> 
> Is a null template allowed?
> 
> I'm not aware of these being clear in the specs.
> 
> 
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