domaindependent

Domaindependent is a term used in computer science and logic to describe properties, formulas, or algorithms whose validity or behavior does not depend on the particular domain of discourse or data. In general, a domain-independent construct yields the same outcome when the domain is modified or extended, provided the existing information is preserved.

In databases and query processing, domain independence refers to the idea that the result of a query should not be affected by elements added to the domain that were not present in the current database. This relates to the distinction between the active domain—the values that actually appear in the data—and the broader domain of interpretation. Domain-independent queries are desirable because they guarantee stable results under data expansion and support reasoning that is independent of implementation details.

In logic and program verification, the term is used to describe specifications or theorems that hold for any nonempty domain, or that are invariant under domain changes. This notion supports the generalization and portability of results across different models or datasets, and it is often discussed in formal methods, constraint solving, and knowledge representation.

Limitations: The exact formal definition of domain independence can vary by field. Some contexts specify precise conditions for a query or formula to be domain independent, while others use the term more informally to indicate a general invariance.

See also: active domain, domain of discourse, domain-specific, model theory, relational algebra.