a method for accessing databases through ontologies by using an iris architecture that includes nodes and links , the method comprising : representing a graph model of the ontologies , where the ontologies include concepts , properties , and relations ; defining the graph model through high - level constraints ; using a plurality of agents to formulate queries of the ontologies ; allowing sections of the ontologies to be named and used as classes ; creating an interface module based on definitions of the relations created by the plurality of agents for evaluating the high - level constraints ; allowing the semi - automatic mapping of data into the ontologies ; loading the data into the ontologies ; allowing the plurality of agents to access the ontologies through the queries ; and customizing the ontologies through views derived from the queries .