OBJECT-BASED DATA MODEL: PRINCIPLES AND COMPONENTS - Database Design and Development: An Essential Guide for IT Professionals - page 166

In contrast, the object-based data model is a broad type of model that can be
transformed into any type of conventional model dictated by nature of the com-
mercial database management system to be implemented. In the object-based data
model, no preset or predefined arrangement of data structures exists. The data
model is generic, applicable to all types of information content.
Benefits of Object-Based Data Model
Being generic, the object-based data model provides a number of benefits to ana-
lysts and designers for creating a truly representative data model. Let us review the
major advantages. The model is closer to the way business processes are executed.
Universal model. The model is able to reflect all types of real-world information.
Also, you can represent all aspects of information—the business objects and every-
thing relevant to each type of object.
True replica. Because it is able to represent every relevant aspect of real-world
information, the data model can be a true and correct representation of real-world
information.
Free from restraints. The conventional models adopt certain specific ways of rep-
resenting data. Through these models, you need to perceive real-world information
in predefined ways in the form of a particular arrangement of data structures. The
object-based data model has no such restrictions.
Easily transformable. Once you create an object-based data model, you can easily
transform it into any of the conventional data models.
Intuitive. In the object-based data model, you observe as components just what you
notice as different aspects of real-world information. Therefore, learning the mod-
eling technique becomes easy.
Introduction to Components
When you create a data model and produce a data model diagram, you need symbols
or notations to denote the various components. In Chapter 5, when we introduced
data modeling, we did not use any formal notations. There, the intention was to intro-
duce the basic concept of data modeling. So let us now go over the notations.
Although you might see some variations in the notations, mostly these are stan-
dardized. Figure 6-2 presents the components and their standard notations.
Note how these components cover the various aspects of real-world information.
Also, realize how, with a just a handful of components, you can represent the entire
spectrum of real-world information. With a limited number of building blocks or
components, you are able to represent any set of information with all its variations
and complexities.
Object Set. The rectangular box denotes a set of object instances. Each box in a
data model diagram represents the set of certain object instances. The name of the