DATA MODELING BASICS - Database Design and Development: An Essential Guide for IT Professionals - page 161

right any data redundancies, the data model is ready for completing the logical
design.
Let us summarize the steps and tasks from requirements definition to preparing
the consolidated data model.

• Filter out unnecessary details; collect the selected data requirements.
• Adopt one of the following methods to create the global data model:
• Merge user views
• Integrate partial data models
• Enhance the global model.
• Validate the global model.
• Review the global model to ensure that redundancies have been removed.
• Create the final consolidated data model.

Figure 5-17 summarizes these steps. Note the flow of the tasks from one step to
the next.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

• A data model is the representation or replica of real-world information.
• A data model is built with defined and accepted building blocks or components.
• Before a data model is built from information requirements, irrelevant details
must be filtered out.
• A generic or semantic data model captures the true meaning of real-world
information.

INFORMATION
REQUIREMENTS

DATA VIEWS

Merge user views OR
integrate partial data models

INFORMATION
ABOUT
real-world
………………

DATA
VIEW-1

DATA
VIEW-n

Filter out
irrelevant
details

GLOBAL
DATA
MODEL

Reconcile naming conflicts, data
types, constraint discrepancies Review for completeness

FINAL
DATA
MODEL

VALIDATED
DATA
MODEL

ENHANCED
DATA
MODEL

Figure 5-17 Consolidated data model: steps for creation.