[Scaevolus]

The pre-machine-learning formulations of AI focused on symbolic reasoning through the dual problems of search and logic. Many problems can be reduced to enumerating legal steps, and SAT/SMT/ASP and related systems can churn through those in a highly optimized and genetic manner.

[freakynit]

Thanks... noted a few keywords to expand on further:

1. Symbolic reasoning

2. SAT/SMT/ASP

3. pre-machine-learning formulations of AI

[sfink]

"Logic programming"[0] is what I've always heard this stuff called. I was introduced to it with Prolog.

"Declarative programming"[1] is kind of a superset of logic programming, which may or may not be the aspect that piques your interest.

"Constraint programming"[2] and "Constraint logic programming"[3] are also a perspective on it.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic_programming

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declarative_programming

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constraint_programming

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constraint_logic_programming