A METHODOLOGY FOR REVERSE ENGINEERING HIERARCHICAL DATABASES

This paper describes the steps of a reverse engineering process for translating a hierarchical data schema into a conceptual description in the extended entity-relationship model. The methodology presented is composed of well-defined tasks which, due to the good level of automation, forecast the possibility of a profitable use of CASE tools. However, the final production of a semantically richer conceptual schema requires the involvement of the designer, whose experience could be implemented with artificial intelligent techniques. The forward process is also analysed to determine all useful decisions which could be applied in the reverse methodology. In addition, an example is presented which illustrates the real applicability of the proposed approach