L/sub k/: a language for capturing real world meanings of the stored data

A knowledge representation language L/sub k/ is introduced that is tailored for expressing the real-world meanings of stored data. L/sub k/ is developed to achieve a tight coupling between a knowledge base component and the database system. L/sub k/ offers (1) a flexible descriptive power which facilitates concepts to be expressed at different levels of granularity; (2) a versatile association mechanism which is capable of linking partially related concepts; and (3) a set of specialization and generalization operators that enable inexact reasoning in a heuristically controlled environment. Examples are provided to illustrate the language's expressive power, its associability, and the inference operations. An example of processing an inference query is given to show the application of various utilities of L/sub k/.<
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