Metamodel-based metadata change management
First Claim
1. A method for managing changes to a data model, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- generating a first set of signatures for a first version of the data model, the first set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the first version of the data model;
generating a second set of signatures for a second version of the data model, the second set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the second version of the data model; and
determining whether differences exist between the first version of the data model and the second version of the data model based, at least in part, on a comparison of the first set of signatures and the second set of signatures.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A framework is provided for management of models. Management of data models or other types of models includes model change comparison and change implementation. For example, in the context of data warehouse models, model components and their process interactions are captured in a form such that different versions of a model can be automatically compared and any changes between versions determined. The framework provides the capability of capturing a model definition down to the level of an individual object and the semantics and relationships of each object. A model is represented and stored as a set of (1) unique object identifiers, (2) object metadata signatures that represent the semantics of objects, and (3) object relationships. Such model information can be stored in a relational database, against which a query, such as an SQL (Structured Query Language) query, can be executed to determine whether two models differ.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A method for managing changes to a data model, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
-
generating a first set of signatures for a first version of the data model, the first set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the first version of the data model;
generating a second set of signatures for a second version of the data model, the second set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the second version of the data model; and
determining whether differences exist between the first version of the data model and the second version of the data model based, at least in part, on a comparison of the first set of signatures and the second set of signatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
17. A method for managing changes to a data model, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
-
generating a first set of signatures for a first version of the data model, the first set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the first version of the data model;
generating a second set of signatures for a second version of the data model, the second set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the second version of the data model;
generating a unique object identifier for each of the objects in the first version of the data model;
representing one or more relationships associated with each of the objects in the first version of the data model, wherein a relationship is between two objects;
generating a unique object identifier for each of the objects in the second version of the data model;
representing one or more relationships associated with each of the objects in the second version of the data model;
generating a signature for the first version of the data model based on the set of signatures for the first version and the relationships associated with the objects in the first version;
generating a signature for the second version of the data model based on the set of signatures for the second version and the relationships associated with the objects in the second version; and
determining whether the first version and the second version of the data model are different by comparing the signatures for the first and second versions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 36, 37, 38)
-
-
39. An apparatus for managing changes to a data model, the apparatus comprising:
-
means for generating a first set of signatures for a first version of the data model, the first set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the first version of the data model;
means for generating a second set of signatures for a second version of the data model, the second set of signatures representing semantics of objects in the second version of the data model; and
means for determining whether differences exist between the first version of the data model and the second version of the data model based, at least in part, on a comparison of the first set of signatures and the second set of signatures.
-
Specification