Attribute of a
system capable of listing the descriptions of each of a certain set of alternatives. In linguistics, a generative grammar embodies a
finite number of
transformation rules for
construct ing a potentially infinite number of sentences of a language and lists potentially all and only the grammatical sentences of that language. In
cybernetics, a generative
model generates (exhibits or enumerates) hypothetical
data that either match or approximate within acceptable limits those in fact observed on the system modelled. The use of such generative devices is
constructivism 's alternative to testing verbal hypotheses and theories with available data. (
Krippendorff )
