Using Templates in OWL Ontologies

Integrating model-driven development and semantic web resulted in metamodels
and model-driven tools for the semantic web. However, these metamodels or tools
do not provide dedicated support for dealing with templates in ontology
engineering.

Using Templates with OWL and UML Notation

Templates are useful for encapsulating knowledge and modeling
recurrent sets of axioms like ontology design patterns. We propose an extension
of existing metamodels and tools to support ontology engineers in modeling
OWL ontology templates. Our approach allows ontology engineers to keep template
specifications as first-class citizens, reducing complexity and increasing
reusability in ontology engineering.

Using Templates in OWL Ontologies with the OWL Editor

The OWL Editor allows to create UML-like Templates for OWL Ontologies. Templates are parameterised elements which identify the pattern for a group of model elements of a particular type. You can generate new classes or elements with the same characteristics as the Template by binding classes or other elements to the Template.

The OWL Editor allows to bind Classes, ClassExpressions, ObjectProperties, DataProperties and Individuals.

Example

This example shows an Ontology using Templates

In this example 2 Classes and 1 ObjectProperty are bound to a Template. The Template (on the right site) named AgentRole has 3 Elements (Role, Agent, hasRole) needing a binding. The Pattern (on the left site) named Music binds elements to the Template.
After the generation the Class "Agent" is transformed to "Musician", "Role" is transformed to "Position" and the ObjectProperty "hasRole" is transformed to "plays". All other elements are not changed so that the generated Ontology looks like this.




By using more patterns and bindings to the Template, the Template is used to generate more than one instance.