The VIS symptom ontology is used by ConsVISor to create OWL descriptions of the problems it discovers as it checks the consistency of OWL documents. Each identified symptom is related to one or more OWL axioms, most of which are defined in the W3C OWL Language Semantics and Abstract Syntax document. The relationship between symptoms and axioms is described in this table. The graphical structure of the symptom ontology can be seen in this UML diagram. An alternative view into the symptom ontology (without the class hierarchy) can be seen in this image produced by the GraphViz dotty application from a dot file generated by an XSLT script used for verification purposes.

We, Versatile Information Systems, Inc., believe there is value in developing a common symptom ontology for use by all programs that deal with identifying errors in OWL documents. We offer the VIS symptom ontology as a starting point for the development of a common symptom ontology. If you are interested in participating in its development or have comments on the current symptom ontology please send them to symptom@vistology.com.