What is Hierarchical task network (HTN)?

A hierarchical task network (HTN) is like having a recipe book that helps you make a big meal step by step, even if you're not sure how to cook yet.

Imagine you want to build a treehouse. You don’t know exactly how, but you have a plan: first, you need to climb a tree, then gather wood, and finally put the pieces together. That’s like an HTN, it breaks down big tasks into smaller ones so you can tackle them one at a time.

Think of your big task as something like baking a cake. The HTN is like having a list that says:

1. Get ingredients

• Go to the store
• Buy flour, sugar, eggs

1. Mix the batter

• Put everything in a bowl
• Stir it up

1. Bake the cake

• Turn on the oven
• Wait for it to be done

Each step is easier than the whole task, just like how you can build your treehouse piece by piece!

HTNs are used in robotics, video games, and even planning trips. They help computers or people figure out what needs to be done, and when, without getting overwhelmed by everything at once!