Using conceptual structures in service creation and verification

Abstract

We propose the use of conceptual structures as a description language for services throughout the service creation process. Conceptual structures have been introduced by Sowa (1984) and are now considered in ANSI standard efforts in the Information Resource Dictionary Systems Committee (ANSI X3H4 IRDS), the Data Interchange and Repositories Committee (ANSI X3T2) and the Formal Description Committee (ANSI X3J21). Conceptual structures emphasize knowledge and understanding, rather than particular implementations. Both natural language and implementation descriptions (such as GSLs) can be mapped into conceptual structures. Well-defined semantics and algorithms for logical deduction are available, because conceptual structures are based on existential graphs. When the requirement specification, the corresponding GSL and background knowledge are represented in conceptual structures, existing algorithms can be used to check whether the GSL implements the requirement specification. This should help solving the problem of checking the implementation. The representation in conceptual structures of the requirement specification can be used to assist in choosing appropriate SIBs. This requires that the specifications of the SIBs are represented in conceptual Structures also. In this presentation we give a short introduction into conceptual structures. Then we illustrate how the use of conceptual structures may contribute during the service creation process. Finally we discuss what is necessary to make the power of conceptual structures available in the service creation process.