Class Types

Most classes in an ontology are standard named classes, but sometimes other kinds of classes can be useful too. This page contains short descriptions.

Named Classes

The standard classes, created and defined by their name. Subclasses are manually assigned. E.g. the class bfo:object with the manually assigned subclass Person.

Defined Classes

Classes that have a name but are defined by a set of conditions. Any class that meets all those conditions is automatically classified as a subclass of this class. E.g. we could create a class "NonPerson" that is defined as "every class that is not a person". Then every class that is not a person would automatically be a subclass of this class. Nobody has to classify them, the reasoner will do it by itself.

An example of the OEO would be solid portion of matter which is defined as 'portion of matter' and (has_normal_state_of_matter value solid)

Anonymous Classes

Classes that don't have a name and are defined by a set of conditions. When a class meets all those conditions it's automatically a subclass of this class. E.g. the class electricity grid component is a subclass of the anonymous class defined by the relation 'grid component' and ('part of' some 'electricity grid').