The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a W3C-recommended general-purpose markup language for creating special-purpose markup languages. It is a simplified subset of SGML, capable of describing many different kinds of data. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of structured text and information across the Internet. Languages based on XML (for example, RDF, RSS, MathML, XSIL and SVG) are themselves described in a formal way, allowing programs to modify and validate documents in these languages without prior knowledge of their form... [source Wikipedia]

Decision diagrams (DDs) are data structures for representing discrete functions. Switching functions and MV functions are as particular examples of discrete functions on groups Cn 2 and Cn p, respectively.

DDs are derived by the reduction of decision trees (DTs). The reduction of a DT into a DD for a given function f is possible due to some particular properties of f assuring some relationships between the function values, and is performed by exploiting these properties. Thus, DTs are the basic concept in DDs representation of discrete functions, since do not depend on the properties of a particular function. The same class of DDs may differ considerably for different functions. Therefore, when discussing and comparing features of different classes of DDs, we should consider DTs from which DDs are derived to stay independent on the properties of particular functions.

framework

1. A structure for supporting or enclosing something else, especially a skeletal support used as the basis for something being constructed.
2. An external work platform; a scaffold.
3. A fundamental structure, as for a written work.
4. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality.

framework
n 1: a simplified description of a complex entity or process; "the computer program was based on a model of the circulatory and respiratory systems" [syn: model, theoretical account] 2: the underlying structure; "restoring the framework of the bombed building"; "it is part of the fabric of society" [syn: fabric] 3: a structure supporting or containing something [syn: frame, framing]

framework
In object-oriented systems, a set of classes that embodies an abstract design for solutions to a number of related problems... [source Dictionary.com]