Specification and Prototyping of Data Model Semantics

Specification and prototyping semantics aids the design and analysis of complex software systems at a rather early stage of their development. This paper reports on experiences and research in data model semantic specification and specification-based data model interpretation. It presents experiences with using a formal semantic specification method in data base model standardization, applying a computer-based interpreter to data base model specifications, and prototyping the semantics of advanced data models based on the user interface of an existing data base management system.