Creating visual data models by combining multiple inter-related model segments

Abstract

A method, system, and computer-readable medium for creating visual data models from multiple inter-related model segments is described. In order to create inter-relationships between model elements in different model segments, a model segment can include one or more external model elements. Each external model element in a model segment is a reference to another actual model element whose definition or description is located outside the model segment (e.g., in another model segment). After an external model element is created in a model segment, a variety of relationships can be defined between the external model element and other model elements in the model segment. Such a relationship with an external model element signifies a relationship with the actual model element represented by the external model element. If a model segment contains a necessary external model element, such as one to which a relationship exists, the model segment does not define a complete model because the definition or description for the external model element is not contained in the model segment. Thus, when multiple model segments are inter-related via external model elements, all of the model segments may be necessary to form a complete model. To form a complete model, the various model segments are therefore combined and the resulting combined model is verified to be complete.

1 - 61 . (canceled)  
   
   
       62 . A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to create a complete logical database model by combining related database elements defined in different model segments, each of the database elements representing a database table or a column of a database table, a remote database element in a different model segment represented in a current model segment by creating in the current model segment an external database element that represents the remote database element, by performing the method comprising: 
 creating a first database element in a first model segment;    creating a second database element in a second model segment;    creating an external first database element in the second model segment, the external first database element representing the first database element,    creating a relationship in the second model segment between the external first database element and the second database element; and    creating the complete logical database model by adding to the complete logical database model the database elements from the first and second model segments;    
   
   
       63 . The computer-readable medium of claim  1 , wherein creating the complete logical database model further comprises: 
 substituting the first database element for the external first database element in the complete logical database model; and    creating the relationship in the complete logical database model between the second database element and the substituted first database element, so that the substitution of the first database element for the external first database element in the complete logical model modifies the relationship in the complete logical database model so that it exists between the first model element and the second model element.    
   
   
       64 . A method for assembling a complete model that includes model elements from different model segments, the method comprising: 
 receiving an indication of a first model segment that contains a description of a first model element having a first structure, a reference to a second model element whose description is contained in a second model segment, and an indication of a relationship between the first and second model elements; and    creating the complete model by replacing the reference to the second model element with the description of the second model element from the second model segment.    
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the indication of the relationship between the first and second model elements represents an alteration of at least one of the first and second structures.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising verifying completeness of the complete model.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the first and second model elements each represent a table.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the relationship indicates that attributes of the tables are related.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising displaying a visual representation of the model elements.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising displaying a visual representation of the reference.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising displaying a visual representation of the relationship.  
   
   
       72 . A computer system for assembling a complete model that includes model elements from different model segments, comprising: 
 a user input device able to receive an indication of a first model segment that contains a description of a first model element having a first structure, that contains a reference to a second model element whose description is contained in a second model segment, and that contains an indication of a relationship between the first and second model elements; and    a model creation component able to create the complete model by retrieving the description of the second model element from the second model segment and replacing the reference to the second model element with the retrieved description.    
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein each of the model elements has a structure including at least one attribute.  
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the model elements and the relationship each have a visual representation.  
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the first model element is created by a first user, and wherein the second model element is created by a second user.  
   
   
       76 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the first and second model segments are distinct files.  
   
   
       77 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein at least one of the first and second model segments is part of a pre-defined library of model elements.