Schema integration methodology and its verification by use of information capacity

In the past decade a considerable amount of research has been done on schema integration and translation. Until recently, most of the work has largely neglected the proof of correctness in transforming schemes. Invalid transformations can produce incomplete or inconsistent pictures that may cause damage to organisations. In this paper, we present a Scheme Integration Methodology, with proof of correctness, based on the use of Information Capacity. We present our methodology as a set of steps for schema translation tasks, verify their correctness according to operational goals and derive the information capacity of the original schema in its pre-transformed and post-transformed conditions. If the information capacity of the original schema is equivalent to or dominated by the transformed schema, then information is preserved after integration. Our correctness criterion is based on the assumption that these goal(s) could be practically pursued in an operational sense and are not solely mathematical proofs. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.