Ontology tools for semantic reconciliation in distributed heterogeneous information environments

This paper describes how information spaces stored as ontologies are best s uited for semantic reconciliation. In addition, it takes a brief look; at s everal advantages of using ontologies in a distributed, heterogeneous, and dynamic environment such as the Internet. It also examines the construction and evaluation of an ontology-based distributed information system develop ed using the Java language. It discusses issues related to software tools t hat operate in a distributed environment such as the Internet and how the c lient-server architecture and the agent technology used by the Java languag e can perform effectively in such environments. The software is applied to an information system for healthcare administrators, which spans hospitals, clinics, and governmental health departments.