Prolog is a declarative programming language centered around logic programming and formal reasoning. Developed in the early 1970s, Prolog is widely known for its use in artificial intelligence, knowledge representation, and expert systems, where problems are solved through logical inference rather than step-by-step computation.
Prolog’s syntax is based on facts, rules, and queries, where developers define relationships and rules that describe how data is structured and how conclusions can be drawn. Its powerful backtracking mechanism automatically explores possible solutions, making it particularly well-suited for tasks like natural language processing, theorem proving, and pattern matching.
While not as widely used in mainstream software development, Prolog remains a valuable tool in academic, research, and specialized industries, particularly in domains that involve symbolic reasoning and complex problem-solving. Its unique approach to programming encourages a shift in mindset, allowing developers to focus on what they want to solve rather than how to solve it.