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New Post 12/15/2011 12:43 PM
User is offline AdamITBSA
12 posts
10th Level Poster


Logical data model: "heterogeneous" and "homogeneous" subtypes 

I'm reviewing a very, very sexy data model... it's huge, it's convoluted, and it seems very well put together.

The original author of the logical model used a method of typing objects that I haven't seen before... objects were formally defined as "heterogeneous subtypes" or "homogeneous subtypes."

This methodology of subtyping makes great sense -- what interests me is the process behind coming up with this in the model.  I haven't done major data modelling, and haven't seen things specifically modelled as subtypes this way... but I'd like to learn more.

Could someone recommend a book or resource that might explain these sorts of concepts further?  Specifically with regards to best practices for creating large logical data models.

 
New Post 1/10/2012 2:16 PM
User is offline Tony Markos
493 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Logical data model: "heterogeneous" and "homogeneous" subtypes 

Hi:

If the data model is truely logical, then it is without implementation considerations.  "Objects"   and "Subtypes" sound like  implementation considerations.   If, especially on larger scale data modeling efforts, one mixes in logic and implementation, the result is not very pretty.   For an understanding of what a true logical data model looks like, I suggest reviewing Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD).

Tony

 

 
New Post 1/12/2012 1:16 PM
User is offline Sandy
74 posts
8th Level Poster




Re: Logical data model: "heterogeneous" and "homogeneous" subtypes 

The 'supertype' and 'subtype' concepts are standard patterns in logical data modeling (and these are definitely logical relationships, not physical - although there are lots of interesting discussions on how to implement these types of relationships when creating the physical model...).

A couple of introductory articles sites that you might find interesting to start are:

Basic explanation of types, supertypes, subtypes, and categories:  http://www.packtpub.com/article/type-subtype-category

A good introductory guide to data modeling:  http://www.liberty.edu/media/1414/[6330]ERDDataModeling.pdf

A comparison of different modeling techniques (which may be more detailed than you're looking for, but at the end there are some good practical tips for creating a data model that someone else can easily read & interpret...): http://essentialstrategies.com/documents/comparison.pdf

Sandy

 
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