Algebraic semantics of ER-models from the standpoint of map calculus. Part I: Static view

Abstract

Entity-Relationship modeling is a popular technique for data modeling. Despite its popularity and wide spread use, it lacks a firm semantic foundation. We propose a translation of an ER-model into mapalgebra, suggesting that mapalgebra does provide suitable mechanisms for establishing a formal semantics of entity-relationship modeling. This report deals with the techniques necessary for the translation and provides a static view of an ER-model in its mapalgebraic disguise.