Reducing the search space for conceptual schema transformation

In this paper we focus on the transformation of a conceptual schema into an internal schema. For a given conceptual schema, quite a number of internal schemata can be derived. This number can be reduced by imposing restrictions on internal schemata. We present a transformation algorithm that can generate internal schemata of several types (including the relational model and the NF 2 model). Guidance parameters are used to impose further restrictions. We harmonise the diierent types of schemata by extending the conceptual language, such that both the conceptual and the internal models can be represented within the same language.