A method for processing data structures with the aid of networked semantic units. The method includes acquiring a data structure, and generating, modifying, deleting and/storing semantic structure units and/networking them on the basis of the acquired data structure. The method uses a knowledge base comprised of a network of semantic knowledge units. Semantic structure units and/their network are classified in iterative steps. Based on this classification, a specific processing is activated which modifies a respective semantic structure unit and/a particular partial network.