backward chaining

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

backward chaining

   <algorithm> An {algorithm} for proving a {goal} by recursively
   breaking it down into sub-goals and trying to prove these
   until {facts} are reached.  Facts are goals with no sub-goals
   which are therefore always true.  Backward training is the
   program execution mechanism used by most {logic programming}
   language like {Prolog}.

   Opposite: {forward chaining}.

   (2004-01-26)