In the past, we have proposed a knowledge base framework called Object-Oriented Knowledge Base (OOKB) which successfully combines the concepts of deductive database, object-oreiented programming and logic programming. In this research, we propose to extend the framework of object-oriented knowledge base with an efficient knowledge base management system. In particular, we propose the following research tasks: Knowledge Management: In our research, we propose the necessary constructs to describe our knowledge (meta-knowledge) about the system-level objects such as integrity constraints, deductive laws, classes, methods, and transactions. We also propose to employ the meta-level knowledge to ensure the quality of knowledge in a dynamic environment where knowledge is updated frequently and to facilitate to control of knowledge bases. Query Processing/Optimization: In the context of query processing, we propose a program transformation approach to avoid exhaustive search. The transformation system employs rewriting rules to substitute pieces of a query with some semantically equivalent sub-queries that can be solved more efficiently. Subsequently, the conjuncts in the transformed query are reorderd dynamically to minimize the evaluation cost. Concurreny Control: Coupled with the meta-knowledge constructs proposed in (a), we propose that concurrency control (among concurrent operations to knowledge as well as data) can be object-oreiented such that it can be customized according to the semantics of objects. Also, we classify the possible conflicts into six categoried and propose that concurrency control should be performed at knowledge level as well as object level.
