METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GUIDING THE FORMATION OF A CORRECTLY STRUTURED INSTRUCTION FOR DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS

On a data processing system, complex instructions, such as expert system rules, for operating the data processing system are created by providing a guide for the correct formulation of the instructions. A set of components relating to elements and actions used to formulate the instructions is provided to visually represent the elements and actions. The components are displayed as icons. An instruction is constructed by moving selected icons into a rule construction area. A selection of components that may correctly be inserted into the instruction is provided at each stage of construction of the instruction. Components that may not correctly be inserted into the instruction are disabled. The disabled icons are visually provided as "grayed" icons. As the instruction is developed with additional icons, the selection of correct components changes to correspond to the changing instruction.