Framework for Generating Object-Oriented Databases from Conceptual Specifications

György KovácsDepartment of Information Systems, Eötvös Loránd University, Múzeum krt. 6-8., H-1088 Budapest, Hungary, email: gykovacs@ullman.inf.elte.hu. Supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA W-015176) and Nuffic., Patrick van Bommel Department of Information Systems, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands, email:pvb@cs.kun.nl

Abstract

 When designing underlying databases of information systems, data are first modelled on conceptual level, then the obtained conceptual data models are transformed to database schemas. The focus of this paper is the transformation of conceptual models into database systems with object-oriented features. The transformation is captured within the framework of a two level architecture. Conceptual models are first mapped to abstract intermediate specifications, which are then transformed to database schemas in a given target environment. This enables us to treat different target systems, such as object-oriented and object-relational systems including the standards ODMG and SQL3, in a uniform way. To express intermediate representations of conceptual models we use F-logic, a logic-based abstract specification language for object-oriented systems. We focus on the first step of the overall transformation, i.e. the mapping of conceptual models into F-logic. Several transformation alternatives are discussed, and a corresponding graphical notation for specifying transformation alternatives is provided.

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