This brilliant textbook explains in detail the principles of conceptual modeling independently from particular methods and languages and shows how to apply them in real-world projects. The author covers all aspects of the engineering process from structural modeling over behavioral modeling to meta-modeling, and completes the presentation with an extensive case study based on the osCommerce system. Written for computer science students in classes on information systems modeling as well as for professionals feeling the need to formalize their experiences or to update their knowledge, Olivé delivers here a comprehensive treatment of all aspects of the modeling process. His book is complemented by lots of exercises and additional online teaching material.

Conceptual modeling is about describing the semantics of software applications at a high level of abstraction in terms of structure, behavior, and user interaction. Embley and Thalheim start with a manifesto stating that the dream of developing information systems strictly by conceptual modeling – as expressed in the phrase “the model is the code” – is becoming reality. The subsequent contributions written by leading researchers in the field support the manifesto's assertions, showing not only how to abstractly model complex information systems but also how to formalize abstract specifications in ways that let developers complete programming tasks within the conceptual model itself. They are grouped into sections on programming with conceptual models, structure modeling, process modeling, user interface modeling, and special challenge areas such as conceptual geometric modeling, information integration, and biological conceptual modeling. The Handbook of Conceptual Modeling collects in a single volume many of the best conceptual-modeling ideas, techniques, and practices as well as the challenges that drive research in the field. Thus it is much more than a traditional handbook for advanced professionals, as it also provides both a firm foundation for the field of conceptual modeling, and points researchers and graduate students towards interesting challenges and paths for how to contribute to this fundamental field of computer science.

This book compiles contributions from renowned researchers covering all aspects of conceptual modeling, on the occasion of Arne Sølvberg’s 67th birthday. Friends of this pioneer in information systems modeling contribute their latest research results from such fields as data modeling, goal-oriented modeling, agent-oriented modeling, and process-oriented modeling. The book reflects the most important recent developments and application areas of conceptual modeling, and highlights trends in conceptual modeling for the next decade.

"This book provides insights into state-of-the-art modeling languages and methods used for reference modeling. A reference model provides a blueprint for information systems development and analysis. Well-established reference models for industrial, retail and other industries are described"--Provided by publisher.

Covers central topics in information systems modeling and architectures. Includes the latest developments in information systems modeling, methods, and best practices.

This book draws new attention to domain-specific conceptual modeling by presenting the work of thought leaders who have designed and deployed specific modeling methods. It provides hands-on guidance on how to build models in a particular domain, such as requirements engineering, business process modeling or enterprise architecture. In addition to these results, it also puts forward ideas for future developments. All this is enriched with exercises, case studies, detailed references and further related information. All domain-specific methods described in this volume also have a tool implementation within the OMiLAB Collaborative Environment – a dedicated research and experimentation space for modeling method engineering at the University of Vienna, Austria – making these advances accessible to a wider community of further developers and users. The collection of works presented here will benefit experts and practitioners from academia and industry alike, including members of the conceptual modeling community as well as lecturers and students.

Information Modeling and Relational Databases, Third Edition, provides an introduction to ORM (Object-Role Modeling) and much more. In fact, it is the only book to go beyond introductory coverage and provide all of the in-depth instruction you need to transform knowledge from domain experts into a sound database design. This book is intended for anyone with a stake in the accuracy and efficacy of databases: systems analysts, information modelers, database designers and administrators, and programmers. Dr. Terry Halpin and Dr. Tony Morgan, pioneers in the development of ORM, blend conceptual information with practical instruction that will let you begin using ORM effectively as soon as possible. The all-new Third Edition includes coverage of advances and improvements in ORM and UML, nominalization, relational mapping, SQL, XML, data interchange, NoSQL databases, ontological modeling, and post-relational databases. Supported by examples, exercises, and useful background information, the authors' step-by-step approach teaches you to develop a natural-language-based ORM model, and then, where needed, abstract ER and UML models from it. This book will quickly make you proficient in the modeling technique that is proving vital to the development of accurate and efficient databases that best meet real business objectives. "This book is an excellent introduction to both information modeling in ORM and relational databases. The book is very clearly written in a step-by-step manner and contains an abundance of well-chosen examples illuminating practice and theory in information modeling. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in conceptual modeling and databases." — Dr. Herman Balsters, Director of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, University of Groningen, The Netherlands - Presents the most in-depth coverage of object-role modeling, including a thorough update of the book for the latest versions of ORM, ER, UML, OWL, and BPMN modeling. - Includes clear coverage of relational database concepts as well as the latest developments in SQL, XML, information modeling, data exchange, and schema transformation. - Case studies and a large number of class-tested exercises are provided for many topics. - Includes all-new chapters on data file formats and NoSQL databases.