Re: what exactly is the conceptual model?

From: Roy Hann <specially_at_processed.almost.meat>
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 22:59:14 +0100
Message-ID: <xK6dnd7ANpup6BTbnZ2dnUVZ8vidnZ2d@pipex.net>

"Senges" <csengstock_at_gmail.com> wrote in message news:1183410491.409439.296070_at_57g2000hsv.googlegroups.com...
> hi list,
>
> i know about the basic distiction of data modelling as i heard it in
> my db couse:
>
> * semantic model --> ERM
> * logical model --> relational schema / XML schema
> * physical model --> hash tables / how to handle stuff on the
> harddisk

Well I take your word that you heard this stuff on a course that was supposed to be about databases (databases? database systems?). I take exception to pretty much all of it, for a variety of reasons.

> and i heard about the conceptual modell / conceptual schema /
> conceptual modelling. however:

[much snippage of erudite-looking stuff]

The conceptual model is an informal ad hoc description of the business'/users' informal understanding of the enterprise of interest.

Roy

PS: I notice Date provides no definition of the conceptual model in The Relational Database Dictionary. I wonder if that is one that he deliberately omitted because he thinks the word "model" is overloaded beyond what "it can reasonably be expected to bear"? Received on Mon Jul 02 2007 - 16:59:14 CDT