Integration of Topic Maps and Databases: Towards Efficient Knowledge Representation and Directory Services

In the field of artificial intelligence there is a well established knowledge representation technique called a semantic network. A semantic network is created using a structure consisting of nodes and links. Beside semantic networks, especially for knowledge representation and knowledge interchange over the Word Wide Web the international Topic Map ISO standard was developed. It defines a syntax that allows the creation of a strongly typed, linked model of an area of knowledge. Although Topic Maps are being embraced by a wide number of organizations and companies there is still a lack of software that supports the Topic Map standard. In this paper a meta data structure is introduced, which allows to make a Topic Map persistent within a relational database. To make integrity checks within Topic Maps possible, several constraint mechanisms are introduced. Additionally, for building world wide Internet directory services a multilanguage component is included. The presented concept is realized in the form of a three layer architecture including also an Admin-/Editorshell. This development is the result of a cooperation with one of the largest Internet sites in Austria, covering content and commerce.