Semantic Heterogeneity in Multidatabase Systems

Abstract

This article reviews current research on the issue of semantic conflict resolution in multidatabase system design. It is observed that in multidatabase systems, semantic conflicts need to be resolved at both schema level and instance level. Based on the literature review, a new taxonomy for differentiating semantic conflicts and a meta-data representation incorporating the taxonomy are proposed. It is argued that the new meta-data representation is effective for summarizing local schemata, and hence it can serve as a common protocol for multidatabase systems that require instance level conflict resolution.