1. A computer-implemented method for using a computing environment for algorithmically determining functional proximity among elements of underlying functional systems represented in n-dimensional space, the method comprising, executing on a processor: electronically representing a set of data entities in a functional information system database, the data entities representing elements of the underlying functional system, and wherein the functional system represents processes converting a set of input elements to a set of output elements; the database system electronically representing a logical data model for structuring the set of data entities; wherein: the logical data model comprises a functional system syntax comprising an ordered set of interrelationships among the elements in the underlying functional system, wherein the functional system syntax can be applied by the computer processor to evaluate validity of expressions of elements according to their functional properties, roles or locations in processes converting inputs to outputs; and electronically assigning tags to the data entities representing reference points in an n-dimensional space associated with functional properties of the elements in the functional information system; receiving an electronic signal comprising a selection of a data entity from a user at a location remote from or co-located with the functional information system; executing a functional proximity algorithm that measures the functional distance among a set of data entities with respect to a specific data entity according to a set of steps that takes a tagged data entity and functional location of the tagged data entity, and returns results comprising a set of measures of proximity of specific data entities to other functionally tagged data entities within the structure of the logical data model established by the functional system based on a magnitude and a category of relationships among the tags associated with the data entities in the functional system, wherein the distance among the tags are representative of the relationship among the entities; and storing the result of the functional proximity algorithm and electronically sending an electronic signal to the user at the remote or a current location.