Slide 14.19: Variables and unification
Slide 14.21: Variables and unification (cont.)
Home

Variables and Unification (Cont.)


Variable Example I (Cont.)
   loves( john, mary ).
   loves( fred, hobbies ).
Now let's look at some simple queries using variables
   ?- loves( john, Who ).  /* Who does john love? */
   Who = mary              /* Yes, Who gets bound to mary */
   yes                     /*  and the query succeeds. */

?- loves( arnold, Who ) /* Does arnold love anybody? */
no /* No, not john or fred. */
?- loves( fred, Who ). /* Who does fred love? */
Who = hobbies /* Who is just a variable name */ yes /* and it unifies with hobbies. */

Variable Example II
Here are some more difficult object/variable comparisons. Consider the following database showing a library of cassette tapes. Notice the final argument to tape, which is the name of a favourite song from the album.
   tape( 1, van_morrison, astral_weeks, madam_george ).
   tape( 2, beatles, sgt_pepper, a_day_in_the_life ).
   tape( 3, beatles, abbey_road, something ).
   tape( 4, rolling_stones, sticky_fingers, brown_sugar ).
   tape( 5, eagles, hotel_california, new_kid_in_town ).
Let's now look at some queries.
   ?- tape( 5, Artist, Album, Fave_Song ).
             /* What are the contents of tape 5? */
   Artist = eagles
   Album = hotel_california
   Fave_Song = new_kid_in_town
   yes