Managing Facts in QBQ^®

Holding Facts in QBQ^®

1.   A fact defines for an attribute the following:

a.  A value that is applicable to the attribute.
b.  A set of values defined by equalities where each value that satisfies the equalities is applicable to the attribute.
c.  A discrete set of values where each value is applicable to the attribute.
d.  A value that is not applicable to the attribute.
e.  A set of values defined by equalities where each value satisfies the equalities is not applicable to the attribute.
f.  A discrete set of values where each value is not applicable to the attribute.
g.  Any consistent combination of the above.

2.   When there is only one applicable value then the attribute has a discrete value.

3.   An attribute may refer to:

a.  An instance.
b.  A meta level where the value of the attribute may apply to a set of instances.
c.  A higher meta level where the value of the attribute may apply to a set of lower meta levels.

4.   There is no limit to the number of meta levels.

5.   The concept of multi-meta levels enables what is a meta-level in one sense to be treated as an instance in another.

Defining Facts in QBQ^®

6.   The setting of a fact is dependent on a condition being true.

7.   The condition on which a fact is dependent may involve the combination of any number of single fact conditions.

8.   A single fact condition will be defined by:

a.  A single value that is applicable to the attribute.
b.  A set of values defined by equalities applicable to the attribute.
c.  A discrete set of values applicable to the attribute.
d.  Not a value that is applicable to the attribute.
e.  Not a value from a set of values defined by equalities applicable to the attribute.
f.  Not a value from discrete set of values applicable to the attribute.
g.  Any consistent combination of the above.

9.   Single fact conditions may be combined to form new conditions.

10.   Once a condition has been defined, whether as a single fact condition or the combination of a number of single fact conditions, then the new condition may be used as part of another conditon.

11.   There is no limit to levels for the combination of conditions to form a new condition.

12.   The conditions may be combined using:

a.  AND.
b.  OR.
c.  XOR.
d.  NOT AND.
e.  NOT OR.

13.   There is no limit to complexity of the combinations of conditions to form a new condition.

Consistency in QBQ^®

14.   No matter how complicated the conditions applicable to the definition of a fact QBQ^® will identify any inconsistencies.

15.   An inconsistency exists when different fact definitions for the same fact enable the same set of facts to define two alternative values for the same attribute.

Execution of QBQ^®

16.   From an input set of facts a new set of facts are generated. These new facts may be used to drive any type of system.