Editing IDEF (section)

=== IDEF5 ===
{{main|IDEF5}}
[[Image:4-54 Composition Schematic for Ballpoint.jpg|thumb|240px|Example of an [[IDEF5]] composition schematic for a ballpoint pen]]

[[IDEF5]], or integrated definition for ontology description capture method, is a software engineering method to develop and maintain usable, accurate, domain [[ontology (computer science)|ontologies]].<ref name="PCB94">Perakath C. Benjamin et al. (1994). [http://www.idef.com/pdf/Idef5.pdf ''IDEF5 Method Report''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221091108/http://www.idef.com/pdf/Idef5.pdf |date=2008-12-21 }}. Knowledge Based Systems, Inc.</ref> In the field of computer science ontologies are used to capture the [[concept and object]]s in a specific [[Domain analysis|domain]], along with associated relationships and meanings. In addition, ontology capture helps coordinate projects by standardizing [[terminology]] and creates opportunities for [[information]] reuse. The IDEF5 Ontology Capture Method has been developed to reliably construct ontologies in a way that closely reflects human [[understanding]] of the specific domain.<ref name="PCB94"/>

In the IDEF5 method, an ontology is constructed by capturing the content of certain assertions about real-world objects, their properties and their interrelationships, and representing that content in an intuitive and natural form. The IDEF5 method has three main components: A graphical language to support conceptual ontology analysis, a structured text language for detailed ontology characterization, and a systematic procedure that provides guidelines for effective ontology capture.<ref name=autogenerated1>Varun Grover, William J. Kettinger (2000). ''Process Think: Winning Perspectives for Business Change in the Information Age''. p.176-178</ref>