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The role of meta models in federating system modelling techniques

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Entity-Relationship Approach — ER '93 (ER 1993)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 823))

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Abstract

Given the large number of system modelling techniques currently available, and the continual need to develop new and improved paradigms and approaches, it must be accepted that this diversity is inevitable, and perhaps even desirable. At the same time, it must be admitted, that the lack of integration and interoperability creates difficulties in effectively combining heterogeneous system modelling techniques and inhibits cost efficient transition of models from one CASE tool to another. This paper discusses the problems of incorporating heterogeneous system modelling techniques, including the extended entity-relationship approach and data flow diagrams, into a unifying conceptual framework. It also outlines the DROTIS project, which aims to develop a generic meta model and a set of interfaces and protocols to support the integration and interoperability of different system modelling techniques and CASE tools used for information systems development. The concept of a semantic space is introduced. This space allows the representation of different system modelling techniques as subsets of concepts in order to support their interoperability and federation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computing & Information Technology, Frankston Monash University, McMahons Road, 3199, Frankston, Victoria, Australia

    Phillip M. Steele & Arkady B. Zaslavsky

Authors
  1. Phillip M. Steele
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  2. Arkady B. Zaslavsky
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Ramez A. Elmasri Vram Kouramajian Bernhard Thalheim

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© 1994 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Steele, P.M., Zaslavsky, A.B. (1994). The role of meta models in federating system modelling techniques. In: Elmasri, R.A., Kouramajian, V., Thalheim, B. (eds) Entity-Relationship Approach — ER '93. ER 1993. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 823. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0024376

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0024376

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-58217-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-48575-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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