[Data-modeling] Reciprocating links with types that include the return type

[Christopher R. Maden]

Ed Laurent <spatial.db at gmail.com> wrote:
> I want to
> reciprocate a link with the umbrella type (FGDC
> Metadata),
> not the included type, when properties can be described using Standard and
> Enumerated types. However, the return link is to the included type. Is there
> a way to reciprocate a link with the umbrella type?

No, not currently.  A property is an object in Freebase like any other, and a reciprocation is just a link between two properties.  Given that the outbound property is attached to a particular type, the reciprocation is necessarily to a property of that type.

This makes me wonder, though, why it would make sense to reciprocate a property that way.  If you use the reciprocal, it could link to a bunch of things, and then what does the main property look like?

So here’s another suggestion.  Put the primary property on the included type.  Reciprocate it on its target.  Then you either get the property on the types that include it, or you could hide it on the main type, but then explicitly delegate it to the ones that include it if you want to give it different names.

~Chris
-- 
Christopher R. Maden
Data Architect
Freebase.com: <URL: http://www.freebase.com/ >
Metaweb Technologes, Inc. <URL: http://www.metaweb.com/ >