[topicmapmail] XTM

[Kal Ahmed]

Ana,

On Wednesday 04 September 2002 20:12, Ana Maria wrote:
> I am studying XTM language but I have some questions about its
> expressivity power. I would be very thankful if someone could clarify m=
e
> about some important aspects of XTM language:
>
> - can we consider XTM allows expressing axioms?

I think that the answer to that is "it depends". Topic maps allow one to =
make=20
assertions about subjects, and that is it. Axioms to me seem to be a subs=
et=20
of that. So, just as RDF has been used to create description logics (DAML=
 +=20
OIL), so I believe that it is possible to create an topic map-based langu=
age=20
for the expression of axioms. However, AFAIK no-one has done so yet (I wo=
uld=20
love to stand corrected on this !)

> - has it any reasoning capability? Has it an inference engine?
>

Once again, topic maps as an information exchange standard do not define=20
reasoning or inferencing facilities. However, these are things which can =
be=20
added by higher level applications. Query languages such as tolog [1], As=
TMA?=20
[2] or TMQL [3] could be used to power an inference engine. If coupled wi=
th a=20
logic expressed in topic map form, I think that one would be at least=20
partially justified in claiming reasoning capability for that *topic map=20
application*.

Cheers,

Kal

[1] http://www.ontopia.net/topicmaps/materials/tolog.html
[2] http://topicmaps.bond.edu.au/astma/astma%3F.html
[3] http://www.y12.doe.gov/sgml/sc34/document/0227.htm

--=20
Kal Ahmed, techquila.com
XML and Topic Map Consultancy

e: kal@techquila.com
p: +44 7968 529531
w: www.techquila.com