Applying Mathematical Models To The Semantic Web

In Facets=Classes=Sets, Marlene Rockmore writing on The Taxonomy Blog discusses how formal techniques from mathematical models like Sets (Venn diagrams) can and should be applied to The Semantic Web to ensure that the goal of seamlessly integrated web information applications and resources becomes more readily attainable:

“To create taxonomies that are ready for the semantic future, the better practice is to how to arrange concepts into facets (which can be equated with classes or sets and avoiding complex polyhierarchies (a concept with too many parents). This will allow taxonomies to play well with applications such as user interface design and machine readable applications. The first step is to stop thinking about taxonomies as a monolithic hierarchy, but rather to look at taxonomies as a collection of classes (or facets), where a class is a set with individual members.” [Read More]

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