A METAMODEL APPROACH FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLE MODELS AND THE TRANSLATION OF SCHEMES

A metamodel approach is proposed as a framework for the definition of different data models and the management of translations of schemes from one model to another. This notion is useful in an environment for the support of the design and development of information systems, since different data models can be used and schemes referring to different models need to be exchanged. The approach is based on the observation that the constructs used in the various models can be classified into a limited set of basic types, such as lexical type, abstract type, aggregation, function. It follows that the translations of schemes can be specified on the basis of translations of the involved types of constructs: this is effectively performed by means of a procedural language and a number of predefined modules that express the standard translations between the basic constructs.