Fact-based information modelling and relational database design
P Steele
6 points * 4 hours per week * Second semester * Peninsula * Prerequisites: CFR1123 or CFR1252 or CFR1306
Information systems and the conceptual schema. Conceptual, external and internal levels. The fact-based approach to information modelling. Specifying fact types and adding constraints such as uniqueness, mandatory roles, values, subtyping, occurrence frequencies, subset, equality, exclusion, logical and user-defined constraints. Derivation rules. The relational model of data. Domains, attributes, relations, candidate, primary and foreign keys. Entity, referential and user-defined integrity. Mapping fact-based conceptual schemas to relational schemas with particular emphasis on constraint implementation through database triggers, rules and procedures. Equivalence transformations on conceptual schemas and optimisation strategies. Comparison of fact-based models to entity relationship models.
Assessment
Examination (3 hours): 50% * Practical work: 50%
Prescribed texts
Nijssen G M and Halpin T A Conceptual schema and relational database design Prentice-Hall, 1989
Recommended texts
Barker R CASE method: Entity relationship modelling Addison-Wesley, 1990
Date C J Relational database writings 1985-1989 Addison-Wesley, 1990
Simsion G Data modelling essentials. Analysis, design and innovation Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1994