Re: PROV-ISSUE-124: Constraints on Used Relation (PROV-DM and PROV-OM) [Conceptual Model]

On Nov 7, 2011, at 7:13 AM, Luc Moreau wrote:

> Hi Satya,
> 
> Responses interleaved.
> 
> On 10/11/2011 07:24 PM, Provenance Working Group Issue Tracker wrote:
>> PROV-ISSUE-124: Constraints on Used Relation (PROV-DM and PROV-OM) [Conceptual Model]
>> 
>> http://www.w3.org/2011/prov/track/issues/124
>> 
>> Raised by: Satya Sahoo
>> On product: Conceptual Model
>> 
>> The following constraints are defined for Used Relation (in PROV-DM document Oct 11, 2011):
>> 
>> Constraint 1: "Given a process execution expression identified by pe, an entity expression identified by e, a qualifier q, and optional time t, if assertion used(pe,e,q) or used(pe,e,q,t) holds, then the existence of an attribute-value pair in the entity expression identified by e is a pre-condition for the termination of the activity represented by the process execution expression identified by pe."
>> 
>> Issue:
>> a) The above constraint may not hold for many scenarios involving Used relation. For example, if "table salt" was added by mistake to a cakeBaking PE, then Used(salt, cakeBaking PE) is true, but it is not clear what attribute-value must exist for "salt" to allow cakeBaking PE to terminate?
>> 
>> b) Without specifying the identity, the characteristics, and how does this "attribute-value pair" relate to the Entity e itself (is it a necessary attribute-value pair for existence of e etc.) it is unclear how can we use this constraint.
>> 
>> c) Further, is it necessary for the attribute-value to be explicitly stated prior to the start of PE instance - since with the open world assumption it may exist but not known to a provenance application before start of PE.
>> 
>>   
> 
> We now have decided to drop this constraint. So, I guess, this answers your concern ;-)


+1 for dropping. Constraint 1 above seemed concerning.


>> --------------
>> 
>> Constraint 2: "Given a process execution expression identified by pe, an entity expression identified by e, a qualifier q, and optional time t, if assertion used(pe,e,q) or used(pe,e,q,t) holds, then the use of the thing represented by entity expression identified by e precedes the end time contained in the process execution expression identified by pe and follows its beginning. Furthermore, the generation of the thing denoted by entity expression identified by e always precedes its use."
>> 
>> Issue:
>> To enforce this constraint, it will be necessary for "time" (or events?) to be associated with both PE and Entity instances to derive ordering - currently association of time is optional for both PE and Entity (events is not defined).
>> 
>> 
>>   
> 
> We are proposing to make a distinction between
> - inferences
> - so-called constraints that are there for the purpose of interpretation
> - constraints that need to be enforced in the data model to be "well formed".



I think it would be useful to draw that distinction in DM, to help interpretation of the document.
Would this be possible?

Thanks,
Tim


> 
> Constraint 2, is of the second kind, here to provide an interpretation to the data model.
> It is not necessarily enforceable.
> 
> Would this address your concerns?
> 
> If so, can the issue be closed?
> 
> Thanks,
> Luc

Received on Wednesday, 16 November 2011 15:53:42 UTC