ConceptBase

Concept Base is a deductive and object-oriented database management system based on Datalog as a query language instead of the usual SQL.

All the facts are, the so-called P- facts stored in a uniform data structure. In addition to factual information and rules, constraints and queries can be defined to represent the application semantics.

Currently, Concept Base is used mainly for conceptual modeling, model management and meta modeling.

History

Based on the knowledge representation language Telos began development by Concept Base in 1987 at the University of Passau in Germany.

In 1988 the first prototype was ready. Two years later, the distribution of the prototype began in academic institutions. Since then, a new version of the system about every two years was released. Concept Base 2009 is free software since the summer. Binary and source files are provided under a FreeBSD - style license.

The name ConceptBase represents the claim, not only to store data, but concepts. Currently the system is being further developed at the RWTH Aachen in Germany and the University of Tilburg in the Netherlands.

Properties

  • All objects in the database are stored in a single data structure, which manifests the object identity
  • Objects can be manipulated graphically or textually
  • Both data and classes, metaclasses, etc. Metametaklassen be displayed
  • Constraints, deductive rules and queries are specified as class attributes and can be changed at any time
  • Request classes combine class property with the logical specification of the class membership
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