Creates or connects to an ontology database. The database stores all ontology metadata: object types, link types, concepts, versions, audits, and governance logs.
Arguments
- path
Path to DuckDB database file. Use
":memory:"for an in-memory database (useful for testing). Default creates a file called"ontology.duckdb"in the current working directory.- read_only
Logical. If
TRUE, connect in read-only mode.- init
Logical. If
TRUE(default), initialize schema if tables don't exist.
Value
Invisibly returns the connection object. The connection is also
stored internally for use by other ont_* functions.
Examples
# In-memory database for testing
ont_connect(":memory:")
#> ! Schema file parsing failed, using inline creation: Extension Autoloading Error: An error occurred while trying to automatically install the required extension 'icu': Extension "/home/runner/.local/share/R/duckdb/extensions/v1.4.3/linux_amd64/icu.duckdb_extension" not found. Extension "icu" is an existing extension. Install it first using "INSTALL icu". ℹ Context: rapi_prepare ℹ Error type: AUTOLOAD
#> ✔ Connected to ontology database: ':memory:'
# Persistent database
ont_connect("my_ontology.duckdb")
#> Warning: Existing connection found. Disconnecting first.
#> ✔ Disconnected from ontology database.
#> ! Schema file parsing failed, using inline creation: Extension Autoloading Error: An error occurred while trying to automatically install the required extension 'icu': Extension "/home/runner/.local/share/R/duckdb/extensions/v1.4.3/linux_amd64/icu.duckdb_extension" not found. Extension "icu" is an existing extension. Install it first using "INSTALL icu". ℹ Context: rapi_prepare ℹ Error type: AUTOLOAD
#> ✔ Connected to ontology database: my_ontology.duckdb
# Check connection status
ont_status()
#>
#> ── Ontology Database Status ──
#>
#> ℹ Path: my_ontology.duckdb
#> ℹ Connected: [2026-01-16 22:11:53.644109]
#> ℹ Read-only: FALSE
#>
#> ── Contents
#> • Object types: 0
#> • Link types: 0
#> • Concepts: 0
#> • Concept versions: 0
#> • Audits: 0
#> • Drift events: 0
# Disconnect when done
ont_disconnect()
#> ✔ Disconnected from ontology database.