A Language-Based and Process-Oriented Approach for Supporting the Knowledge Discovery Processes

Abstract

Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) processes are complex, highly interactive and iterative. The similarities between KDD processes and software development processes suggest that approaches used to manage the development of software processes are also applicable and in fact advantageous to KDD processes. In this paper, we examine the current approaches for supporting KDD and note to their limitations in providing comprehensive and effective process support. We propose a language-based and process-oriented approach for supporting KDD processes that is based on explicitly representing KDD processes as process programs that can be analyzed, validated, and enacted. We illustrate the proposed approach using a novel process programming language that is designed to describe general process concepts as well as specific KDD concepts. Along with the KDD process language, an IDE-style development environment is proposed to assist in modeling and enacting KDD processes. The overall approach is evaluated and illustrated by modeling and enacting a traditional KDD process.