Rule-based natural language processing

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

• receive a natural-language input;
• determine, based on the natural-language input, an input expression pattern;
• determine whether the input expression pattern matches a respective expression pattern of each of a plurality of intent definitions;
• and
• in accordance with a determination that the input expression pattern matches an expression pattern of an intent definition of the plurality of intent definitions:
• select an intent definition of the plurality of intent definitions having an expression pattern matching the input expression pattern;
• perform a task associated with the selected intent definition;
• and
• output an output indicating whether the task was performed.

A method, comprising:

• at an electronic device with one or more processors:
• receiving a natural-language input;
• determining, based on the natural-language input, an input expression pattern;
• determining whether the input expression pattern matches a respective expression pattern of each of a plurality of intent definitions;
• and
• in accordance with a determination that the input expression pattern matches an expression pattern of an intent definition of the plurality of intent definitions:
• selecting an intent definition of the plurality of intent definitions having an expression pattern matching the input expression pattern;
• performing a task associated with the selected intent definition;
• and
• outputting an output indicating whether the task was performed.