Ontologies and formal representations of knowledge are extremely powerful tools for modeling and managing large applications in several domains ranging from knowledge engineering, to data mining, to the Semantic Web.<BR><BR>Ontology Theory, Management and Design: Advanced Tools and Models explores the wide range of applications for ontologies, while providing a complete view of both the theory behind the design and the problems posed by the practical development and use of ontologies. This reference presents an in-depth and forward looking analysis of current research, illustrating the importance of this field and pointing toward to the future of knowledge engineering, management and information technology.