Conceptual modeling for data and knowledge management

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