From Conceptual Models to Data Models

Abstract

This chapter describes transformations between conceptual models (mainly entity-relationship diagrams and also UML) and data models. It describes algorithms to transform a given conceptual model into a data model for a relational, object-relational, object-oriented and XML database. Some examples are used to illustrate the transformations. While some transformations are well known, some (like the transformation into XML or into object-relational schemas) have not been investigated in depth. The chapter shows that most of these transformations offer options which involve important trade-offs that database designers should be aware of.