Default reasoning and inheritance mechanisms on type hierarchies

ABSTRACT

Type hierarchies abound in Artificial Intelligence, Data Bases and Programming Languages. Although their size, use and complexity differs, all share a central inference mechanism: Inheritance of information, their raison d'etre. This paper discusses various types of type hierarchies and inheritance mechanisms, concluding with a proposed generalized inheritance mapping approach to resolve issues of lateral and upward inheritance (to augment the traditional downward approach), as well as default reasoning and limited non-monotonic inference.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Inheritance

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.3 Deduction and Theorem Proving
          Subjects: Nonmonotonic reasoning and belief revision

General Terms:
Languages