Model Transformations in Designing the ASSO Methodology

ASSO, an innovative conceptual methodology which combines features of database design with the formal method B, has been defined in order to ensure the flexibility of semantic data models, the efficiency of object models and design correctness. Starting from a directed acyclic graph of classes supported by semantic data models, a formal mapping generates classes supported by object models. The classes supported by semantic data models are then extended with aspects of behavioural modelling: a relationship with the B model is established and the consistency proofs of the whole schema are reduced to small obligations of B. This chapter evidences how ASSO is based on model transformations. These have been introduced with various purposes: to map semantic data models to object models, to integrate static and dynamic modelling, to link formal and informal notations and to relate the conceptual schema and the logical schema of the methodology.

From Conceptual Database Schemas to Logical Database Tuning

This chapter revisits conceptual database design and focuses on the so-called “logical database tuning”. We first recall fundamental differences between constructor-oriented models (like extended Entity-Relationship models) and attribute-oriented models (like the relational model). Then, we introduce an integrated algorithm for translating ER-like conceptual database schemas to relational database schemas. To consider the tuning of such logical databases, we highlight two extreme cases: null-free databases and efficient — though non redundant — databases. Finally, we point out how SQL workloads could be used a posteriori as a help for the designers and/or the database administrators to reach a compromise between these extreme cases. While a lot of papers and books have been devoted for many years to database design, we hope that this chapter will clarify the understanding of database designers when implementing their databases and database administrators when maintaining their databases.

Transformation-Based Database Engineering

This chapter posits a widening gap between workplace writing practices and traditional composition pedagogies. In particular, this chapter suggests that traditional composition pedagogies persist in foregrounding solitary, proprietary authors as model composers, despite the limited applicability of these models. The fields of technical and professional communication, by contrast, have long valued collaboration and modes of authorship that do not always imply the composer’s ownership of a given text. These fields’ biases are reinforced by the advent of digital media, and the Internet in particular. Digital technologies facilitate collaboration and promote a greater range of authorial stances than their print counterparts. The chapter concludes by offering pedagogical approaches directed at promoting composition pedagogies commensurate with the challenges faced by professional and technical writers working in digital composing spaces.

Multimedia Conversion with the Focus on Continuous Media

This chapter describes an approach to a very complex subject of multimedia conversion. The authors hope to familiarize readers with the idea of multimedia objects transformation, especially time-dependent data (like video and audio streams). After a short introduction, the chapter gives fundamentals with broad references to the discussed field. The presented way of modeling conversions including an abstract model, categories of transformation and a processing model, leads to an application of the graph-based model in the deployment considering model-specific issues, functional correctness, scheduling, management of resources and admission control. RETAVIC and memo.REAL are ongoing projects and the means of evaluation of the models of conversion as well.

Analysing Transformations in Performance Management

Performance Management (PM) is a way of managing in which the organisation’s goals and organisation model are made explicit. In this chapter, several forms of PM are investigated to meet these observations. The goals and organisation model together form the management model of the organisation. Steering the organisation towards its strategic goals then comes down to repeatedly transforming this management model. In this chapter, these transformations are systematically analysed. In order to do this, we first provide a framework in which several types of transformation can be identified. Second, properties of the transformations are stated and related to different styles of management. In addition, we sketch future trends in a resource-based view on performance management.

Imprecise and Uncertain Engineering Information Modeling in Databases

Computer-based information systems have become the nerve center of current manufacturing systems. Engineering information modeling in databases is thus essential. However, information imprecision and uncertainty extensively arise in engineering design and manufacturing. So contemporary engineering applications have put a requirement on imprecise and uncertain information modeling. Viewed from database systems, engineering information modeling can be identified at two levels: conceptual data modeling and logical database modeling and correspondingly we have conceptual data models and logical database models, respectively. In this chapter, we firstly investigate information imprecision and uncertainty in engineering applications. Then EXPRESS-G, which is a graphical modeling tool of EXPRESS for conceptual data modeling of engineering information, and nested relational databases are extended based on possibility distribution theory, respectively, in order to model imprecise and uncertain engineering information. The formal methods to mapping fuzzy EXPRESS-G schema to fuzzy nested relational schema are developed.

Coherence in Data Schema Transformation

This chapter focuses on change in the information system’s Conceptual Schema in its operational life cycle phase, introducing Semantic Change Patterns as a novel notion in Conceptual Schema evolution. Each pattern outlines a coherent way to accommodate new information needs, both on the level of the existing data structure, and on the level of the data instances (data coercion). An initial catalogue of Semantic Change Patterns is proposed, based on actual schema changes observed in business cases. The catalogue exposes some of the schema evolution expertise that can be found in maintenance practice.

Declarative Transformation for Object-Oriented Models

This chapter provides a context and motivation for a language to describe transformations of models within an object-oriented framework. The requirements for such a language are given, and then an object-oriented model of the language’s abstract syntax is provided that meets these requirements. A concrete syntax is introduced along with some example transformations. Finally, we discuss the tools required to use the language within a model-driven software engineering paradigm. The authors aim to demonstrate the principles of model transformation within an object-oriented framework, and show how this can be applied to the development of software systems.

Specifying Coherent Refactoring Software Artefacts with Distributed Graph Transformations

This chapter discusses the use of Graph Transformations for refactoring. Refactoring changes the internal structure of a software system, while preserving its behavior. Even though the input/output view of a system’s behavior does not change, refactoring can have several consequences for the computing process, as expressed for instance by the sequence of method calls or by state changes of an object or an activity. Such modifications must be reflected in the system model, generally expressed through UML diagrams. We propose a formal approach, based on distributed graph transformation, to the coordinated evolution of code and model, as effect of refactorings. The approach can be integrated into existing refactoring tools. Due to its formal background, it makes it possible to reason about the behavior preservation of each specified refactoring.

From Conceptual Models to Data Models

This chapter describes transformations between conceptual models (mainly entity-relationship diagrams and also UML) and data models. It describes algorithms to transform a given conceptual model into a data model for a relational, object-relational, object-oriented and XML database. Some examples are used to illustrate the transformations. While some transformations are well known, some (like the transformation into XML or into object-relational schemas) have not been investigated in depth. The chapter shows that most of these transformations offer options which involve important trade-offs that database designers should be aware of.