ORM 2012

p12_A Validatable Legacy Database Migration using ORM

Ken Evans — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:39:11 GMT

Abstract: This paper describes a method used in a real-life case of a legacy database migration. The difficulty of the case lies in the fact that the legacy application to be replaced has to remain fully available during the migration process while at the same time data from the old system is to be integrated within the new system. The target database schema was fixed beforehand, hence complicating and limiting our choices in constructing a possible target schema. The conceptual approach of the Object-Role Modeling (ORM) method helped us to better understand the semantics of the source and target system and enabled us to abstract from implementation choices in both the source and the target schemas. We discuss how our method could help in executing other legacy data migration projects.

Tjeerd Moes, Jan Pieter Wijbenga: TNO (The Netherlands)
Herman Balsters, George Huitema: University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

P11 How Modeling Decisions Affect SQL Code Implementation – A Use Case

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:22:14 GMT

Abstract: Like any other modelling or development environment, there exist several modelling style choices in arriving at a Fact Based Model (FBM) schema. What is interesting is that choosing different modelling styles in modelling the same semantics directly affects the degree of programming code developmental efforts.

A Use Case portraying an actual situation is shown where moving from a commonly used approach in modelling temporal based facts to a deeper structure of involved semantic relationships resulted in a marked difference in the reduction of SQL code development.

This paper also highlights the dangers of a possible gap and loss of knowledge between the human roles during the process of semantic transforms from an ORM/NIAM model FBM schema to SQL development. A lessons-learned summary lists some of the real-world compromises, and highlights danger areas using ‘traditional’ Fact Based Modelling practices during implementation.

Author: Baba Piprani, MetaGlobal Systems (Canada)

P10 Fact-based Specification of a Data Modeling Kernel of the UML Superstructure

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:19:19 GMT

Abstract: Data schemas are an important part of the software design process. The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is the lingua franca in current software engineering practice, and UML class diagrams are used for data modeling within software-engineering projects. Fact-based modeling (FBM) has many advantages over UML, for data modeling. Database engineers that have specified their data schemas in FBM, are often faced with difficulties in communicating these schemas to software engineers using UML.

We wish to tackle this communication problem by eventually offering a translation from the FBM-specifications to UML class diagrams. Such a translation requires a formal meta-model description of both FBM and a data-modeling kernel of UML. This paper describes an FBM-based specification of a data-modeling kernel of the UML uperstructure. This kernel will be fact-based, with the added advantage of enabling validation of this FBM-specification.

Authors: Joost Doesburg, Herman Balsters: University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

P09 The Interplay of Mandatory-role and Set-comparison Constraints

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:15:15 GMT

Abstract: In this paper we will focus on the interplay of mandatory role and set-comparison (equality-, subset- and exclusion-) constraints in fact based modeling.

We will present an algorithm that can be used to derive mandatory role constraints in combination with non-implied set-comparison constraints as a result of the acceptance or rejection of real-life user examples by the domain expert.

Author: Peter Bollen: Maastricht University (The Netherlands)

P08 ORM Logic-based English (OLE) and the ORM ReDesigner Tool: Fact-based Re-engineering and Migration of Relational Databases

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:11:58 GMT

Abstract: The problem of database reengineering stems from (legacy) databases that are hard to understand (incorrect-, incomplete- or missing semantics) or that perform inefficiently.Reengineering is often cumbersome due to lack of semantics of the original database, and often the data migration target is also unclear.

This paper addresses those two problems. We shall show how fact-based modeling, in particular ORM and its representation in (sugared) Sorted Logic, can help in reengineering (relational) databases. We reconstruct the semantics of the source database by offering a set of natural-language sentences capturing conceptual structure and constraints of the source. These sentences are written in a structured natural language format, coined as OLE: ORM Logic-based English. OLE is then used to define the mappings from the original source to a reengineered and restructured target database.

We shall also discuss the ORMReDesigner: a semi-automatic tool, based on OLE and NORMA, available as a research prototype, used for reengineering and migrating relational databases.

Author: Herman Balsters: University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

P07 CCL: A Lightweight ORM Embedding in Clean

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:09:02 GMT

Abstract: Agile software development advocates a rapid iterative process where working systems are delivered at each iteration. For information systems, this drive to produce something working soon, makes it tempting to skip conceptual domain modeling. The long term benefits of developing an explicit conceptual model are traded for the short term benefit of reduced overhead.

A possible way to reconcile conceptual modeling with a code-centric agile process is by embedding it in a programming language. We investigate this approach with CCL, a compact textual notation for embedding Object-Role Models in the functional language Clean. CCL enables specification of Clean types as derivatives of conceptual types. Together with its compact notation, this means that defining data types with CCL as intermediary requires no more
programming effort than defining data types directly. Moreover, because embedded ORM is still ORM, mappings to other ORM representations remain possible at any time.

Authors: Bas Lijnse: Radboud University Nijmegen and Netherlands Defence Academy (The Netherlands)
Patrick van Bommel, Rinus Plasmeijer: Radboud University Nijmegen (The Netherlands)

P06 Enhanced Verbalization of ORM Models

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:03:54 GMT

Abstract: Fact-oriented modeling approaches such as Object-Role Modeling (ORM) validate their models with domain experts by verbalizing the models in natural language, and by populating the relevant fact types with concrete examples.

This paper extends previous work on verbalization of ORM models in a number of ways. Firstly, it considers some ways to better ensure that generated verbalizations are unambiguous, including occasional use of lengthier verbalizations that are tied more closely to the underlying logical form. Secondly, it provides improved verbalization patterns for common types of ORM constraints, such as uniqueness and mandatory role constraints. Thirdly, it provides an algorithm for verbalizing external uniqueness and frequency constraints over roles projected from join paths of arbitrary complexity. The paper also includes some discussion of how such verbalization enhancements were recently implemented in the Natural ORM Architect (NORMA) tool.

Authors: Terry Halpin: INTI International University (Malaysia) and LogicBlox (USA)
Matthew Curland: ORM Solutions (USA)

P05 Formalization of ORM Revisited

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:59:21 GMT

Abstract: Fact-oriented modeling approaches such as Object-Role Modeling (ORM) and Natural Language Information Analysis Method (NIAM) enable conceptual information models to be expressed using graphical diagrams that may be assigned formal semantics by mapping them onto sets of logical formulae. Various formalizations for such mappings exist. This paper extends such previous work by providing a new approach to formalizing second generation ORM (ORM 2).

We show that the metalevel association between semantic value type and data type must be a mapping relationship rather than a subtyping relationship, and we axiomatize a special representation relationship to support this mapping at the instance level.

Our new formalization includes coverage of preferred reference schemes and additional constraints introduced in ORM 2. Other issues examined briefly include the use of finite model theory, sorted logic, and practical choices for implementing certain kinds of logical formulae as constraints or derivation rules.

Author: Terry Halpin: INTI International University (Malaysia) and LogicBlox (USA)

P04 The Formalization of ORM2 and its Encoding in OWL2

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:55:56 GMT

Abstract. This paper introduces ORM2plus – a new linear syntax and complete semantics expressed in first order logic of ORM2 – which can be shown correctly embedding the original proposal. A provably correct encoding of the core fragment ORM2zero in the ALCQI description logic (a fragment of OWL2 with qualified cardinality restrictions and inverse roles) is presented.

Complexity of reasoning on ORM2 conceptual schemas, and the ExpTime-membership of reasoning on ORM2zero, are also shown.

On the basis of these results, a systematic critique of alternative approaches to the formalisation of ORM2 in (description) logics published so far is provided. A prototype has been implemented providing a backend for the automated support of implicit constraints deduction, schema consistency checks, and user-defined constraints entailment, for ORM2zero conceptual schemas along with its translation into ALCQI knowledge bases.

Authors: Enrico Franconi, Alessandro Mosca, Dmitry Solomakhin: Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy)

P03 Exploring the benefits of collaboration between Business Process Models and Fact Based Modeling – ORM

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:50:05 GMT

Abstract. Companies are continually striving to reduce issues leading to failed projects and the costs associated with them. The use and collaboration of business process mapping and ORM data modeling can help improve the success rate of a project.

This project incorporated lean business practice deliverables such as business process maps along with ORM data models.

The output from the two sessions revealed a gap in knowledge around business rules which led to the creation of decision tables. The knowledge gained from the three components (process maps, ORM models and business rules) had numerous benefits including cross-validation of models, increased user involvement, definition of user acceptance tests, and ease in eliciting requirements.

The collaboration of business process and data modeling drives accuracy and efficiency in requirements and can reduce or eliminate many of the issues identified as causes of failed projects.

Authors: Necito dela Cruz, Connie Holker: Boston Scientific Corporation (USA)

P02 Applying some Fact Oriented Modelling Principles to Business Process Modelling

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:41:31 GMT

Abstract. In the context of a business process modelling task within a government department, an adapted version of the first two steps of fact oriented modelling has been proposed as an alternative strategy in the initial stage of business processes knowledge elicitation activities.

As expertise and knowledge on organisational processes and procedures are in many cases implicit and embodied by support staff – rather than by highly skilled knowledge workers – it is extremely important to adopt an more accessible method to facilitate the elicitation and validation steps.

This paper presents how a small scale experiment has been set up, its results and lessons learnt. Even if a thorough evaluation was out of scope, the experiment sufficiently demonstrated the strength of the analysis by natural language as included in the fact oriented modelling methodology.

Presenter: Peter Spyns: Vlaamse overhead (Belgium)

P01 Welcome, and Introduction of Participants

Ken Evans — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:36:19 GMT

This is the presentation used by Chairman Terry Halpin to open the ORM 2012 workshop.

ORM 2012 Program

Ken Evans — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:01:43 GMT

This is the program for the ORM 2012 Workshop to be held in Rome between October 12 and October 14 2012.

ORM 2012: Call for Papers .pdf format

Ken Evans — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:14:52 GMT

ORM 2012: International Workshop on Fact-Oriented Modeling
Call for Papers

This workshop will take place in Rome, Italy, September 10-14, 2012

The ORM 2012 workshop is to be held in conjunction with OTM’2012 (Sep 10-14)
http://www.onthemove-conferences.org/

The proceedings will be published by Springer Verlag

Paper Submission:

* Abstracts: due by 31 May 2012

* Papers: due by 4 June 2012