Month Year

May 1998

Issue: 2

Editor's Notes: JCM: On the Road
by Scot A. Becker

UML Data Models from an ORM Perspective (Part 2)
by Dr. Terry Halpin

This paper is the second in a series of articles examining data modeling in the Unified Modeling Language (UML) from the perspective of Object Role Modeling (ORM). Part 1 provided some historical background on both approaches, identified several design criteria for modeling languages, and discussed how object reference and single-valued attributes are modeled in both. In Part 2 we compare UML multi-valued attributes with ORM relationship types, including basic constraints on both. As part of this discussion, we also consider how these structures may be instantiated, using UML object diagrams or ORM fact tables.

Composite Objects in Relational and Object Relational Constructs Using InfoModeler 3.1 (Part Two)
by Pat Hallock

In part one we were looking at how a relational model can be changed to an object relational model with the addition of name row type information. This time we are going to show how to create nested objects using several named row types.

Business Rules Require Real-World Identifiers
by Dr. John K. Sharp

In our quest to structure the world so that data is efficiently managed within computer databases we commonly depend on the creation of meaningless unique keys. This serves us well in the capturing, analyzing and displaying information. So well, in fact we sometimes don't pay attention to the use of the knowledge in the ongoing work of the business. The databases work fine, but we require people to enforce business rules outside of the application.

Elementary Facts
by John M. Miller

I've taken the title of this column from a famous line in the old radio drama and TV series. Dragnet. A witness would be spilling their guts and Sgt. Friday would calmly say, "just the facts" and the witness would calm down and begin to tell Sgt. Friday only the pertinent information. Sometimes I feel just like Sgt. Friday.

InfoModeler Tips and Tricks: General Tips, Issue Two
by Dr. Anthony Bloesch

Common Model Fragments: People and Organizations: Part Two
by Scot A. Becker

I know, I know, I covered this last month, right? Well, not good enough. Besides, although I had intended to write about products this month (In fact, I have the data model roughed in) I am too busy to complete it for this month. Given my travels and the upcoming Visio conference, I just don't have time to finish it for this issue. We'll try again next month.

Analysis Problem
by Dr. John K. Sharp