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The Theory of Conceptual Models, the Theory of Conceptual Modelling and Foundations of Conceptual Modelling

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Handbook of Conceptual Modeling

Abstract

Conceptual modelling is a widely applied practice and has led to a large body of knowledge on constructs that might be used for modelling and on methods that might be useful for modelling. It is commonly accepted that database application development is based on conceptual modelling. It is, however, surprising that only very few publications have been published on a theory of conceptual modelling. Modelling is typically supported by languages that are well-founded and easy to apply for the description of the application domain, the requirements and the system solution. It is thus based on a theory of modelling constructs. Modelling is ruled by its purpose, e.g., construction of a system, simulation of real-world situations, theory construction, explanation of phenomena, or documentation of an existing system. Modelling is also an engineering activity with engineering steps and engineering results. It is thus engineering.

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Author notes

  1. Bernhard Thalheim

    Present address: Inst. Informatik, Universität Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany

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    1. Bernhard Thalheim
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    Correspondence to Bernhard Thalheim .

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    Editors and Affiliations

    1. , Department of Computer Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, 84602, USA

      David W. Embley

    2. Institut für Informatik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, Kiel, 24098, Germany

      Bernhard Thalheim

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    Thalheim, B. (2011). The Theory of Conceptual Models, the Theory of Conceptual Modelling and Foundations of Conceptual Modelling. In: Embley, D., Thalheim, B. (eds) Handbook of Conceptual Modeling. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15865-0_17

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15865-0_17

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    • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

    • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-15864-3

    • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-15865-0

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