Entity-Relationship (ER) modelling is a popular technique for data modelling. Despite its popularity and widespread use, it lacks a firm semantic foundation. We propose a translation of an ER-model into relation algebra, suggesting that this kind of algebra does provide suitable mechanisms for establishing a formal semantics of ER modelling. The work reported on here deals first with the techniques necessary for the translation, thus constructing a static view of an ER-model in an abstract setting of what might be called logic without variables. We then undertake a detailed analysis of the insertion and deletion operations for an ER-model represented in terms of the relation calculus.
ER modelling from first relational principles / Doberkat, E. E.; Omodeo, Eugenio. - In: THEORETICAL COMPUTER SCIENCE. - ISSN 0304-3975. - STAMPA. - 311(1-3):(2004), pp. 285-323. [10.1016/j.tcs.2003.09.001]
ER modelling from first relational principles
OMODEO, EUGENIO
2004-01-01
Abstract
Entity-Relationship (ER) modelling is a popular technique for data modelling. Despite its popularity and widespread use, it lacks a firm semantic foundation. We propose a translation of an ER-model into relation algebra, suggesting that this kind of algebra does provide suitable mechanisms for establishing a formal semantics of ER modelling. The work reported on here deals first with the techniques necessary for the translation, thus constructing a static view of an ER-model in an abstract setting of what might be called logic without variables. We then undertake a detailed analysis of the insertion and deletion operations for an ER-model represented in terms of the relation calculus.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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