Can ontologies enhance the software engineering process? Obviously they help with the engineering activities of certain classes of systems -web agents, for example- but the question is stronger. Can ontology really serve as a foundation for implementing solid and effective software engineering processes in any class of domain?

The question goes even beyond for systems engineering, where the informational reality inside the computer gets into close interaction with the real reality of masses and energies.

There, computer-based ontologies touch the very realm of being; the reified ontology.

There are currently a myriad of research projects addressing the use of ontologies for Software Engineering.

Ontologies are not the silver bullet when it comes to solving all Software Engineering issues. However, ontologies have started to prove themselves as a promising and fundamental element to be considered during software engineering activities.

From generic ontologies to specific domain ontologies, through ontologies as software artifacts, the range is wide to cater for all necessities.

As to present every current research effort would be too space consuming, check out this reviews made by experts on the topic.

- (Hesse2005): Addressing the relevance of ontologies for software engineering

- (Ruiz2006part1.pdf) A detailed review on the roles, the features and the benefits of ontologies when it comes to Software Engineering (SE) and Technology (ST).

- (Ruiz2006part2.pdf) A taxonomy of ontologies for SE and ST according to the aforementioned roles and features. Plenty of current research descriptions and bibliography on software related ontologies.

- (Happel2005) Another good review of ontologies in SE, from a different but somehow similar viewpoint, with an stress on the use within ontology-driven efforts. Reasons why ontologies are used, approach adopted and benefits are revisited.