Evaluating inference algorithms for the Prolog factor language

Abstract

Over the last years there has been some interest in models that combine first-order logic and probabilistic graphical models to describe large scale domains, and in efficient ways to perform inference on these domains. Prolog Factor Language (PFL) is a extension of the Prolog language that allows a natural representation of these first-order probabilistic models (either directed or undirected). PFL is also capable of solving probabilistic queries on these models through the implementation of four inference algorithms: variable elimination, belief propagation, lifted variable elimination and lifted belief propagation. We show how these models can be easily represented using PFL and then we perform a comparative study between the different inference algorithms in four artificial problems. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.