AIML - Tag

<topic> Tag is used in AIML to store a context so that later conversation can be done based on that context. Usually, <topic> tag is used in Yes/No type conversation. It helps AIML to search categories written within the context of the topic.

Syntax

Define a topic using <set> tag

<template> 
   <set name = "topic"> topic-name </set>
</template>

Define the category using <topic> tag

<topic name = "topic-name">
   <category>
      ...
   </category>     
</topic>

For example, consider the following conversation.

Human: let discuss movies
Robot: Yes movies
Human: Comedy movies are nice to watch
Robot: Watching good movie refreshes our minds.
Human: I like watching comedy
Robot: I too like watching comedy.

Here bot responds taking "movie" as the topic.

Example

Create topic.aiml inside C > ab > bots > test > aiml and topic.aiml.csv inside C > ab > bots > test > aimlif directories.

topic.aiml

<?xml version = "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?>
<aiml version = "1.0.1" encoding = "UTF-8"?>
   <category>
      <pattern>LET DISCUSS MOVIES</pattern>
      <template>Yes <set name = "topic">movies</set></template>  
   </category>
   
   <topic name = "movies">
      <category>
         <pattern> * </pattern>
         <template>Watching good movie refreshes our minds.</template>
      </category>
      
      <category>
         <pattern> I LIKE WATCHING COMEDY! </pattern>
         <template>I like comedy movies too.</template>
      </category>
      
   </topic>
</aiml>

that.aiml.csv

0,LET DISCUSS MOVIES,*,*,Yes <set name = "topic">movies</set>,topic.aiml
0,*,*,movies,Watching good movie refreshes our minds.,topic.aiml
0,I LIKE WATCHING COMEDY!,*,movies,I like comedy movies too.,topic.aiml

Execute the Program

Open the command prompt. Go to C > ab > and type the following command −

java -cp lib/Ab.jar Main bot = test action = chat trace = false

Verify the Result

You will see the following output −

Human: let discuss movies
Robot: Yes movies
Human: Comedy movies are nice to watch
Robot: Watching good movie refreshes our minds.
Human: I like watching comedy
Robot: I too like watching comedy.