A Generic Representation for Exploiting Model-Based Information

There are a variety of ways to represent information and each representation scheme typically has associated tools to manipulate it. In this paper, we present a single, generic representation that can accommodate a broad range of information representation schemes (i.e., structural models), such as XML, RDF, Topic Maps, and various database models. We focus here on model-based information where the information representation scheme prescribes structural modeling constructs (analogous to a data model in a database). For example, the XML model includes elements, attributes, and permits elements to be nested. Similarly, RDF models information through resources and properties. Having a generic representation for a broad range of structural models provides an opportunity to build generic technology to manage and store information. Additionally, we can use the generic representation to exploit a formally defined mapping language to transform information, e.g., from one scheme to another. In this paper, we present the generic representation and the associated mapping formalism to transform information and discuss some of the opportunities and challenges presented by this work.