Conceptual modeling for data and knowledge management

In order to exploit knowledge embedded in databases and to migrate from data to knowledge management environments, conceptual modeling languages must offer more expressiveness than traditional modeling languages. This paper proposes the conceptual graph formalism as such a modeling language. It shows through an example and a comparison with Telos, a semantically rich knowledge modeling language, that it is suited for that purpose. The conceptual graph formalism offers simplicity of use through its graphical components and small set of constructs and operators. It allows easy migration from database to knowledge base environments. Thus, this paper advocates its use. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.