Formalizing Graphical Schemas for Conceptual Modeling: Sketch-Based Logic vs.Heuristic Pictures

In the paper a new approach to semantic modeling and view integration is proposed. The underlying data model is graph-based yet completely formalized so that graphical schemas themselves are precise specifications suitable for implementation. The formalism is a kind of graph-object-based generalization of the relational data model: analytical assertions about elements (values) are replaced by synthetic assertions about diagrams of sets (object classes) and functions (references); correspondingly, queries are operations on such diagrams. On the other hand, the approach is an adaptation of a familiar in the mathematical category theory specification framework based on the so called sketches. On this ground, a new approach to view integration is suggested. Its distinctive characteristics is in the way of specifying correspondence between different views of the same universe of discourse. The specifications are formalized and based on equations which reduces the integration task to a se..