Using Schema Mapping to Facilitate Data Integration

To integrate data from disparate, heterogeneous information sources in an open environment, data-integration systems demand a resolution of several major issues: (1) heterogeneity, (2) scalability, (3) continual infusion and change of local information sources, (4) query processing complexity, and (5) global schema evolution. Although several data-integration systems have been proposed to address these problems, no single system addresses all the issues in a unified approach. To resolve these problems, we offer TIQS, an approach to data integration that uses semi-automatic schema matching to produce source-to-target mappings based on a predefined conceptual target schema. In a unified approach, TIQS offers solutions for each of the five major issues. Compared with other data integration approaches, our approach combines their advantages, mitigates their disadvantages, and provides a viable alternative for flexible and scalable data integration.