Ontology

A method for formally representing knowledge as a set of concepts within a domain, using a shared vocabulary to denote the types, properties and interrelationships of those concepts. Ontology in computer terms is concerned with meaning of and relationship between entities. It derives its importance from its ability to organize raw or unstructured data by semantics (i.e. meaning, such as classes, properties or attributes, and relationships), rather than merely by strings or keywords, thus facilitating more efficient data operations (storing, querying, sending and receiving). An ontology is often referred to as a “schema”.