isVariantOf

isVariantOf is a binary relation used in data schemas, ontologies, and knowledge representations to indicate that one entity is a variant of another. When X isVariantOf Y, X is considered derived from or based on Y and differing from Y in certain aspects such as features, sequence, form, or edition. The relation is typically asymmetric: if X isVariantOf Y, Y is not usually described as a variant of X. Depending on the domain, the notion of variant may be sensitive to context, such as whether variations are intentional, evolutionary, or editorial.

Common domains include software versioning, product catalogs, genetic and genomic data, linguistic or cultural variants, and other areas where a base form has multiple stand-ins or renditions. In knowledge graphs and data models, isVariantOf is often implemented as an object property with a defined domain and range (often both being a general class like Entity or a more specific superclass). The property may be accompanied by provenance information that explains the basis and nature of the variation.

Variants may be categorized by the type of difference (for example, edition, transcription, mutation, or modification) and by the reference or base from which the variant is derived. Some systems define an inverse property, such as hasVariant, to link the base form to its variants. Careful modeling is needed to avoid circular definitions and to capture the semantics of variation appropriate to the domain.

See also: variant, version, derivative, edition, transformation.