The application of computer-supported collaborative work and knowledge-based technology to the view modeling and integration problems: A multi-user view integration system (MUVIS)

This dissertation describes the architecture, development and implementation of a network application called MUVIS. MUVIS supports the design of distributed object-oriented databases by groups of potential users. MUVIS is a graphical system implemented on Microsoft Windows for personal computers attached to local area networks. It allows designers to share conceptual design objects in real-time and resolve naming conflicts through the electronic medium. It assists these database designers in representing their views and integrating these views into a global conceptual schema. The view integration component is decoupled from the view modeling component. The underlying data model, the Semantic Data Model (SDM), is extended to include distribution information and transaction specification. The visual interface to the SDM is an Extended Entity Relationship model, yet objects in the SDM are classes (as opposed to entities and relationships) and this fact reduces the complexity of the integration. An experiment involving groups of size three and four and individuals modeling a complex case validated the view modeling system. The groups were more efficient and produced higher quality designs than did individuals.