Conjunctive constraint mapping for data translation
Chen-Chuan Kevin Chang, Héctor García-Molina · 1998
In this paper we present a mechanism for translating information in heterogeneous digital library environments. We model information as a set of conjunctive constraints that are satisfied by real-world objects (e.g., documents, their metadata) . Through application of semantic rules and value transformation functions, constraints are mapped into ones understood and supported in another context. Our machinery can also deal with hierarchically structured information. KEYWORDS: constraint mapping, data translation, semantic interoperability. 1 INTRODUCTION Digital libraries often need to interact with autonomous systems that structure and represent their information differently. To ensure semantic interoperability [12], information must be appropriately mapped from its source context to its target context where it will be used. For example, the condition [author = "John Smith"] in a query, may need to be translated to [name = "Smith, J."]. Similarly, the component [date = "Jan 1998"] i...