Re: Why isn't FunctionalProperty a subClassOf owl:ObjectProperty?

From: "Roger L. Costello" <costello@mitre.org>
Subject: Why isn't FunctionalProperty a subClassOf owl:ObjectProperty?
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 17:18:12 -0500

> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> In the OWL Reference Version 1.0 document it defines TransitiveProperty
> and SymmetricProperty as a subClassOf owl:ObjectProperty.
> 
> On the other hand, it defines FunctionalProperty as a subClassOf
> rdf:Propery.
> 
> What is the reason for this?  Why isn't FunctionalProperty also defined
> as a subClassOf owl:ObjectProperty?  
> 
> Thanks!  /Roger

In OWL DL there is a division of the universe between objects and the data
values.  In OWL DL all OWL properties relate elements of the object part of
the universe to either elements of the object part of the universe (object
properties) or elements of the data part of the universe.  This means that
it does not make sense to have symmetric or transitive object properties in
OWL DL.  However, it does make sense to have a functional property that
relates objects to data values.

peter

Received on Wednesday, 5 March 2003 09:00:12 UTC