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