Schema Interpretation: An Aid to the Schema Analysis in Federated Database Design

Abstract

A new method for schema analysis is described in which reasoning is based upon the real--world semantics of schema elements. The method distinguishes between intrinsic and in--context semantics, which respectively provide a basis for shallow and deep semantic comparisons between element. Real--world semantics are represent as element interpretations which map elements into a pre--defined common concept model. The method provides a basis for more accurate integration of component schemas within a federated database system. 1. Introduction The schema integration (SI) process by which a federated schema is derived is critical to the effectiveness of a federated database system (FDBS) [SL90]. Schema analysis is one of the four phases of SI, in which semantic relationships between the elements of component schemas are identified [BLN86]. It requires an understanding of, and the ability to capture and reason with, the semantics of those schema elements [YSDK91], but current data models do n..