Generating an Algebraic Specification from an ER-Model

Abstract

Entity-Relationship modelling is a rather intuitive technique for specifying the structure of complex data. The technique is popular in part because the structure of an ER-model is easily grasped, and it is usually supported by diagrams or other visualizing tools. This paper deals with a detailed analysis of ER-modelling with the goal of deriving an algebraic specification for a given ER-model. This is motivated by considerations regarding program specification for data intensive applications. We indicate haw the technique demonstrated here may be combined with formal techniques for specifying the functional behavior of a system.