Supervisor: Alan Sexton
Keywords: CASE Tools, Graphics
Brief Description:
Entity-Relationship-Attribute modelling is the most common form
of conceptual modelling used in database design today. Tools
to support ERA modelling are available but are, for the most
part, either very expensive or of poor quality. An ideal ERA
diagram drawing tool is more than just a figure drawing tool
with some special predefined figures. It should support common
refinement approaches (Top Down, Bottom up, Inside Out and
Mixed). It should support different diagramming styles such as
Chen (rectangle/diamond/oval) and Crow's Feet. It should be
able to save to and restore from the Conceptual Schema
Definition Language (CSDL). It should support view
integration, constraints and extended ERA features such as
Generalisation, Aggregation and Classification. It should be
able to map a conceptual model into a logical model (e.g. a
relational schema). It should be able to import a relational
schema and make reasonable assumptions to extract an
approximate conceptual model from it.
This project is to design and develop an ERA tool that goes as
far as possible in producing such a system. The internal
design and user interface design are critical parts of the
project as the intention is to carry the project further in
later years.
Special Equipment: No special equipment requirements
Special Software: No special software requirements
Maintained by A.P.Sexton@cs.bham.ac.uk
Home Page: http//www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~aps
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