[CL] 24707:2007 Corrigendum

[Ed Barkmeyer]

Randy(?) wrote:

>> If CL is to incorporate all IKL constructs, that hardly constitutes a
>> minor change. In particular, I think that these extensions (while
>> valuable in their own right, to be sure) must be crafted as a layered
>> and optional extension to CL, not a core capability.
>>
>> Otherwise, I fear very few implementations will be able to accomplish
>> conformance in any immediate timeframe.

I fully agree with all of this.  This is not only the addition of a new 
feature, it is the addition of a feature that requires its own 
"conformance class" or (in OMG terms) "compliance point".
I think we would be seriously violating the intent of Technical 
Corrigendum to introduce a new feature that requires a new conformance 
class.

Pat says:

> +1. I agree, IKL is a whole new thing. Syntactically its not too much 
> of a big deal (though even that would screw up eg conversions to 
> clausal form) but semantically it is very adventurous. There are no 
> known or even sketched reasoners for it, 

I can agree with John on this point.  The purpose of CL is to provide an 
exchange capability for multiple logics.  At one level, the question 
isn't whether there are tested reasoners.  The question is only whether 
the/a complete interpretation of IKL is defined.  The exchange can only 
be effective in the presence of a well-defined semantic model.

But Pat goes on:

> and no complete proof theory. 

Aye, and there's the rub.

> I don't think its anywhere near being ready for putting into 
> a standard yet.

To take Pat's point, I think more research may identify some constrained 
uses of IKL that are actually supportable by reasoners, and one would 
want those "constrained uses" to be the "conformance classes".  (This is 
by analogy to what happened to description logics and to Rete engines.) 
  And that is a good reason to hold off on what will be a future 
"addendum" or "revision" to ISO 24707.

-Ed

-- 
Edward J. Barkmeyer                        Email: edbark at nist.gov
National Institute of Standards & Technology
Manufacturing Systems Integration Division
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