On correctness of information models

摘要

During the last decade a number of approaches to information modelling, or conceptual modelling, have been presented. In most approaches it is assumed that the correctness of an information model is decided from intuitive considerations, though formal methods may be applied.In this report we discuss three correctness criteria of information models, namely: consistency, satisfiability and completeness. The satisfiability of an information model in a universe of discourse can be formally checked by complementing the information model with a representation of concrete knowledge which is assumed to be complete. A formal basis for such correctness checking is presented. Further, the relationship between an information model and a conceptual schema is discussed, and an observed transformation problem is presented.