topic map
<semantics> A collection of "topics", their relationships, and
information sources. A topic map captures the subjects of which information
sources speak, and the relationships between them, in a way that is
implementation independent.
A topic is a symbol within the computer that represents something in the world
such as the play Hamlet, the playwright William Shakespeare, or the "authorship"
relationship.
Topics can have names. They can also have occurrences, that is, information
resources that are considered to be relevant in some way to their subject.
Topics can play roles in relationships.
Thus, topics have three kinds of characteristics: names, sources, and roles
played in relationships. The assignment of such characteristics is considered to
be valid within a certain scope, or context.
Topic maps can be merged. Merging can take place at the discretion of the user
or application (at runtime), or may be indicated by the topic map's author at
the time of its creation.
(2003-07-19)
Nearby terms:
Top-Down Model « topic drift « topic group «
topic map
» topic thread » top-level domain » topology
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