Attributes of entities

Any entity type has some internal Attributes, which allow to characterize the entity. The InkVisitor interface guides users as to what attributes are expected for a given entity type.

A first and obvious Attribute is label, that is, the name of the entity. The name can change; it is the identifier (UUID) rather than the label which holds the semantic identity. However, label changes need to be done with consideration, as they influence the uses of this entity in already existing data.

The detail Attribute should be used to define the entity. This is especially important for Actions and Concepts, which keep the data semantically together.

Another attribute used in all entities is label language, which defines in what language the label is written.

Languages not available in the interface (including old development phases of modern languages) can be added upon request.

To further extend the possibilities of finding an entity rather than create duplicates e.g. for mere orthographic variants (e.g. democratisation vs. democratization), there are alternative labels, which means other labels than the main one, highlighted in label. 

Alternative labels should not be used for labels in another language (create the entity in that language and link it with a SYN Relation to this one instead).

In Concepts and Actions, alternative labels should not be used for different lemmas.

Technically, the main label and alternative labels are one single field; the first position in this field is held by the main label. This is how the application ensures non-duplication between main label and alternative labels.

Apart from such internal Attributes, any entity can enter in three types of connections to different entities: Properties, Relations, and References.