It will consist of federations of very large number of information systems that will cooperate to varying extents to support the users' information needs. We discuss an approach to information brokering in the above environment. Query processing consists of information focusing and information correlation. The context of comparison of the two objects is the primary vehicle to represent the semantics for determining semantic proximity. Specifically, we use a partial context representation to capture the semantics in terms of the assumptions in the intended use of the objects and the intended meaning of the user query.
Information focusing is supported by subsequent context comparison.
The same mechanism can be used to support information resource discovery. Context comparison leads to changes in schema correspondences that are used to support information correlation. Permission to make digital or hard copies is granted provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or direct commercial advantage, and that copies show this notice on the first page or initial screen of a display along with the full citation. A Context-Based Approach.