starER: a conceptual model for data warehouse design

ABSTRACT

Modeling data warehouses is a complex task focusing, very often, into internal structures and implementation issues. In this paper we argue that, in order to accurately reflect the users requirements into an error-free, understandable, and easily extendable data warehouse schema, special attention should be paid at the conceptual modeling phase. Based on a real mortgage business warehouse environment, we present a set of user modeling requirements and we discuss the involved concepts. Understanding the semantics of these concepts, allow us to build a conceptual model—namely, the starER model—for their efficient handling. More specifically, the starER model combines the star structure, which is dominant in data warehouses, with the semantically rich constructs of the ER model; special types of relationships have been further added to support hierarchies. We present an evaluation of the starER model as well as a comparison of the proposed model with other existing models, pointing out differences and similarities. Examples from a mortgage data warehouse environment, in which starER is tested, reveal the ease of understanding of the model, as well as the efficiency in representing complex information at the semantic level.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT

General Terms:
Design, Management, Theory

Keywords:
ER model, conceptual modeling, data warehouse, star structure