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Case-Based Reasoning

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Encyclopedia of Machine Learning

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Synonyms

CBR; Experience-based reasoning; Lessons-learned systems; Memory-based learning

Definition

Case-based reasoning solves problems by retrieving similar, previously solved problems and reusing their solutions. Experiences are memorized as cases in a case base. Each experience is learned as a problem or situation together with its corresponding solution or action. The experience need not record how the solution was reached, simply that the solution was used for the problem. The case base acts as a memory, and remembering is achieved using similarity-based retrieval and reuse of the retrieved solutions. Newly solved problems may be retained in the case base and so the memory is able to grow as problem-solving occurs.

Motivation and Background

Case-based reasoning (CBR) is inspired by memory-based human problem-solving in which instances of earlier problem-solving are remembered and applied to solve new problems. For example, in Case Law, the decisions in trials are based on legal...

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Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. Susan Craw
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    Editor information

    Editors and Affiliations

    1. School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 2052

      Claude Sammut

    2. Faculty of Information Technology, Clayton School of Information Technology, Monash University, P.O. Box 63, Victoria, Australia, 3800

      Geoffrey I. Webb

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    © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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    Craw, S. (2011). Case-Based Reasoning. In: Sammut, C., Webb, G.I. (eds) Encyclopedia of Machine Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30164-8_97

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