An N-ary view integration method using conceptual dependencies

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe a methodology that can integrate n database views simultaneously. The methodology consists of transforming a database view into an intermediate representation, based on the conceptual dependency theory. The conceptual representations corresponding to the views are then combined to form a global representation, which is subsequently converted back to a data model that represents the global, integrated schema. Our methodology makes use of the semantic content of a database view in the integration process, unlike other view integration methodologies proposed in the literature. We show, by examples, how this approach can eliminate multiple restructuring of constituent views in the integration process. >