Implementing Articulation Rules for Object Request Brokers as an Extension to Production Systems

Abstract

When combining data from distinct sources, there is a need to share meta-data and other knowledge about various source domains. Due to semantic inconsistencies, problems arise when combining knowledge across domains when the knowledge is simply merged. Also, knowledge that is irrelevant to the task of interoperation will be included, making the result unnecessarily complex. An algebra over domain ontologies has been proposed to support disciplined manipulation among heterogeneous systems. This paper describes the domain ontology algebra and the use of articulation rules to link declarative interfaces. In particular, it discusses the articulation's implementation as part of CLIPS production system capable of operating over the ontologies described by the interfaces of objects registered in multiple CORBA servers.