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The Science and Art of Conceptual Modelling

  • Conference paper
Transactions on Large-Scale Data- and Knowledge-Centered Systems VI

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((TLDKS,volume 7600))

Abstract

Conceptual modelling is one of the central activities in Computer Science. Conceptual models are mainly used as intermediate artifact for system construction. They are schematic descriptions of a system, a theory, or a phenomenon of an origin thus forming a model. A conceptual model is a model enhanced by concepts. The process of conceptual modelling is ruled by the purpose of modelling and the models. It is based on a number of modelling acts, on a number of correctness conditions, on modelling principles and postulates, and on paradigms of the background or substance theories. Purposes determine the (surplus) value of a model. Conceptual modelling is performed by a modeller that directs the process based on his/her experience, education, understanding, intention and attitude. Conceptual models are products that are used by other stakeholders such as programmers, learners, business users, and evaluators. Conceptual models use a language as a carrier for the modelling artifact and are restricted by the expressiveness of this carrier.

This paper aims at a discussion of a general theory of modelling as a culture and an art. A general theory of modelling also considers modelling as an apprenticeship and as a technology. It is thus an art. Modelling is on of the main elements of Computer Science culture that consists of commonly accepted behaviour patterns, arts, consensus, institutions, and all other supporting means and thoughts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Science Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany

    Bernhard Thalheim

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  1. Bernhard Thalheim
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Recherche en Informatique de Toulouse (IRIT), Paul Sabatier University, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex, France

    Abdelkader Hameurlain

  2. FAW - Institute for Applied Knowledge Processing, University of Linz, Altenbergerstraße 69, 4040, Linz, Austria

    Josef Küng

  3. FAW, University of Linz, Altenbergerstraße 69, 4040, Linz, Austria

    Roland Wagner

  4. Marriott School, Brigham Young University, 784 TNRB, 84602, Provo, UT, USA

    Stephen W. Liddle

  5. Software Competence Center Hagenberg, Softwarepark 21, 4232, Hagenberg, Austria

    Klaus-Dieter Schewe

  6. School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Xiaofang Zhou

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Thalheim, B. (2012). The Science and Art of Conceptual Modelling. In: Hameurlain, A., Küng, J., Wagner, R., Liddle, S.W., Schewe, KD., Zhou, X. (eds) Transactions on Large-Scale Data- and Knowledge-Centered Systems VI. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 7600. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34179-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34179-3_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-34178-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-34179-3

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