structuresalso

Structuresalso is a term used in discussions of information representation to denote a design principle in which structural elements and their semantic roles are treated as co-dependent. The approach suggests that the meaning of data arises not only from values and types but also from how entities are linked and arranged, with the structure itself contributing to interpretation.

The term is not standardized and appears mainly in theoretical contexts. It is often described as a portmanteau of structure and semantics, emphasizing that structures also carry information beyond their components.

Core ideas include dual representation (data plus structural description), enrichment of graphs with annotations, and bidirectional mapping between layout and meaning. Proponents argue this supports reasoning about form and function and improves traceability across transformations.

Implementations typically rely on graph-based models with an annotation layer and are used in knowledge graphs, model-driven engineering, and document schemas. An example is annotating edges with role expectations or constraints to clarify how related entities should interact.

Compared with traditional data modeling, structuresalso foregrounds the informational content of relationships. Critics warn of added complexity, potential redundancy, and performance costs, and stress the need for clear semantics and robust tooling for practical adoption.

See also: data modeling, knowledge graph, ontology, graph database.