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FoMLaDO Workshop on Database Schema Evolution and Meta-Modeling

International Workshop on Foundations of Models and Languages for Data and Objects

DEMM 2000, FoMLaDO 2000: Database Schema Evolution and Meta-Modeling pp 220–244Cite as

Defining Metrics for Conceptual Schema Evolution

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 2065))

Abstract

It is generally believed that a well-designed Conceptual Schema will remain stable over time. However, current literature rarely addresses how such stability should be observed and measured in the operational business environment with evolving information needs and database structures. This paper sets up a framework for stability of conceptual schemas and proceeds to develop a set of metrics from it. The metrics are based on straightforward measurements of conceptual features. The validity of the set of metrics is argued here from theory, operational validity may be demonstrated by a longitudinal case study into the evolution of conceptual schemas. The main contribution of this paper is the realization that the measurement of conceptual schema stability is an essential step for understanding and improving current theories and best-practices for designing high-quality schemas that will stand the test of time.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ABP Pensioenen, The Netherlands

    Lex Wedemeijer

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  1. Lex Wedemeijer
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Herman Balsters

  2. Faculty of Management and Organization, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 800, 9700 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Bert de Brock

  3. Department of Computer Science, University of Munich, Oettingenstraße 67, 80538, Munich, Germany

    Stefan Conrad

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Wedemeijer, L. (2001). Defining Metrics for Conceptual Schema Evolution. In: Balsters, H., de Brock, B., Conrad, S. (eds) Database Schema Evolution and Meta-Modeling. DEMM FoMLaDO 2000 2000. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2065. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-48196-6_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-48196-6_13

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-42272-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-48196-6

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