Coherence in Data Schema Transformation: The Notion of Semantic Change Patterns

Abstract

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.