Constraint Propagation Using an Active Semantic Network

This section describes an approach for representing and propagating contraints in active database systems during product development. In this context, constraints are used for consistency checks of product models in databases as well as for the support of designers in product development. Concepts of active database systems are examined to represent and evaluate dependencies specified by designers during the product development process. Using concepts of object-oriented database systems, an approach for representing constraints by virtual objects is shown. A rule-based evaluation method for propagation of design modifications in the database is realized by Event-Condition-Action rules, known from the field of active database systems. This approach is illustrated by a realization of an active knowledge base, the Active Semantic Network.