Monica,
XML is a general-purpose syntax, that can at some level accommodate any
information, just as an RDBMS can. However, the computational semantics of
a more expressive language will be lost.
For example, "Every horse has a head." is expressed in KIF as (01)
(=>
(instance ?X Horse)
(exists (?Y)
(and
(instance ?Y Head-PartOfBody)
(part ?X ?Y)))) (02)
KIF defines what "=>", "exists", "and" etc mean, and what any computational
system employing those terms (that is conformant to KIF), must be able to
conclude based on their use. For example, if Ed is a Horse, then there
must exists a head that is part of Ed.
One could encode the statement above in many different ways in XML. For
example (03)
<implies>
<antecedent>
<clause>
<predicate value="instance">
<argument number=1 value="?X">
<argument number=2 value="Horse">
</clause>
</antecedent>
<consequent>
<existential>
<varlist><var name="?Y"></varlist>
<and>
<clause>
<predicate value="instance">
<argument number=1 value="?Y">
<argument number=2 value="Head-PartOfBody">
</clause>
<clause>
<predicate value="part">
<argument number=1 value="?x">
<argument number=2 value="?Y">
</clause>
</and>
</existential>
</consequent>
</implies> (04)
This is the sort of thing that's being done in the RuleML effort. The
problem though is getting all this "right" with respect to the semantics of
first order logic, and then creating tools that support those semantics, as
well as the XML-encoded input format. (05)
This seems unnecessary to me. I'd suggest using an ontology tool that
reads and understands KIF, instead of wrapping another layer of syntax
around it. (06)
Adam (07)
At 03:33 PM 11/13/2002 -0800, Monica Martin wrote:
>Why don't we consider using ebXML Reg / Rep to store these ontology
>artifacts, or am I missing something?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Bob Smith [mailto:robsmith5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 10:52 AM
>To: ontolog@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Cc: Christian Fillies
>Subject: RE: [ontolog] ontology tools and an ontology repository?
>
>
>Hi Leo,
>
>Thanks for the XML.com survey of 53 tools...what a range of options
>today. What will the market look like in 18 months?
>
>A web-based ontology repository hosted on the site could help shape this
>evolving market by illustrating which features of various tools are more
>in demand than others (at least for this select audience...)
>
>I am using Semtalk (www.semtalk.com ) to support a few client's
>requirements.
>
>Since Peter is developing a survey format, I will just wait for his
>email.
>
>Thanks !!
>
>Bob Smith, Ph.D.
>Tall Tree Labs
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-ontology_site22@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:owner-ontology_site22@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Leo Obrst
>Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 5:20 AM
>To: Ontolog-forums-cim3-net
>Subject: [ontolog] ontology tools and an ontology repository?
>
>
>All,
>
>We are considering one possibility for our site: an ontology repository,
>wherein folks can register ontologies and/or build ontologies using
>Web-enabled tools, possibly hosted at our site.
>
>So some questions:
>1) How do you feel about:
> a) our site supporting an ontology repository?
> b) our site supporting a Web-enabled ontology tool (for developing
>ontologies)?
> c) none of the above.
>
>2) Which ontology tools do you use?
> a) Can you characterize the tools: i.e., Web-enabled, ontology
>languages supported, cost/licensing, POCs, experience, etc.
> b) Do you know of a tool provider who might support such a public
>effort, hosted on our site?
>
>3) Which ontology languages (knowledge representation languages) should
>be the standard(s) for the ontologies?
> (Some examples: Ontolingua/KIF, Common Logic, OKBC, CycL, RDF/S,
>DAML+OIL, OWL, etc.)
>
>4) Additional Comments?
>
>Thanks!
>Leo
>
>--
>_____________________________________________
>Dr. Leo Obrst The MITRE Corporation
>mailto:lobrst@xxxxxxxxx Intelligent Information Management/Exploitation
>Voice: 703-883-6770 7515 Colshire Drive, M/S W640
>Fax: 703-883-1379 McLean, VA 22102-7508, USA
>
>
>
>--
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>
>
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