14. A method comprising the steps of: performing one or more reasoning operations on metadata characterizing data sets associated with data processing elements of an information processing system in order to identify at least selected portions of one or more of the data sets as being suitable for use in achieving a designated purpose; and utilizing results of the one or more reasoning operations to assemble at least a subset of the selected portions so as to achieve the designated purpose; wherein the metadata characterizes the data sets in accordance with at least one specified semantic ontology comprising at least one process, at least one task associated with each process, and at least one role associated with each process, the task being subject to at least one of a rule and a constraint, and being associated with at least one agent, and the role being a role for a given one of the data sets; wherein identifying the selected portions of the one or more data sets as being suitable for use in achieving the designated purpose comprises analyzing at least one of what data sets are needed and what data sets are available for the at least one process; wherein the utilizing step comprises manipulating the selected portions for achieving the designated purpose; wherein the manipulating comprises at least one of: (i) substituting a data set for an unavailable data set; (ii) updating at least one of the data sets; and (iii) combining at least two of the data sets; and wherein the steps are performed by at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory.
14. A method comprising the steps of: performing one or more reasoning operations on metadata characterizing data sets associated with data processing elements of an information processing system in order to identify at least selected portions of one or more of the data sets as being suitable for use in achieving a designated purpose; and utilizing results of the one or more reasoning operations to assemble at least a subset of the selected portions so as to achieve the designated purpose; wherein the metadata characterizes the data sets in accordance with at least one specified semantic ontology comprising at least one process, at least one task associated with each process, and at least one role associated with each process, the task being subject to at least one of a rule and a constraint, and being associated with at least one agent, and the role being a role for a given one of the data sets; wherein identifying the selected portions of the one or more data sets as being suitable for use in achieving the designated purpose comprises analyzing at least one of what data sets are needed and what data sets are available for the at least one process; wherein the utilizing step comprises manipulating the selected portions for achieving the designated purpose; wherein the manipulating comprises at least one of: (i) substituting a data set for an unavailable data set; (ii) updating at least one of the data sets; and (iii) combining at least two of the data sets; and wherein the steps are performed by at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the utilizing step comprises utilizing at least one process to manipulate the selected portions in a manner that facilitates achievement of the designated purpose.