Complex entity versioning at two granularity levels

摘要

Engineering applications require semantically rich data to be modeled and managed over time. Complex entities, meaning entities linked to other entities by structural and existential dependences, allow such data to be represented. Complex entity versions track the evolution of complex entities over time or during a design process. This paper describes a complex entity version management model that combines two levels for the management of complex entity versions, depending on the granularity of the versioned entities: one macroscopic and the other microscopic. These two levels give the various categories of users the possibility to choose the complex entity version management technique best adapted to their needs. Unlike existing models, this model allows all types of complex entities, i.e. both classes and instances, to be managed. Furthermore, the microscopic level is highly parameterized and the macroscopic level offers an easy-to-use interface to users.