30. A method of simulating plant operation with an artificial intelligence software shell comprising the steps of: storing, in a database, objects representing plant elements and concepts; reading input data from an input data source; determining, from the input data read, when artificial intelligence knowledge sources should execute in accordance with a predetermined knowledge source priority scheme; and executing knowledge sources, in accordance with the determination, on specific predefined objects; wherein the step of determining includes the steps of receiving messages relating to input data, checking the messages for syntax errors and implementing a hash table algorithm if no syntax error is found.
30. A method of simulating plant operation with an artificial intelligence software shell comprising the steps of: storing, in a database, objects representing plant elements and concepts; reading input data from an input data source; determining, from the input data read, when artificial intelligence knowledge sources should execute in accordance with a predetermined knowledge source priority scheme; and executing knowledge sources, in accordance with the determination, on specific predefined objects; wherein the step of determining includes the steps of receiving messages relating to input data, checking the messages for syntax errors and implementing a hash table algorithm if no syntax error is found. 31. A method as claimed in claim 30 wherein the step of executing knowledge sources includes the step of updating object values.