The problem of identification

ABSTRACT

The existing models for database applications use a few fundamental concepts for the description of the world to be modeled. The most common of these concepts is the entity, also called object, element, concept, information, token, data or value. Entities are identifiable and distinguishable existing things of the real world. In general the concept of entity, is used only for static things whose existence does not depend directly from other entities, in contrast to the dynamic happenings called events and the existence of some dependency between two or more entities called relationship (or attribute or property) which can exist only in conjunction with the related entities. More complex combinations of entities, relationships and events we call facts. Therefore “John has broken his leg yesterday and is in Santa Clara Hospital” is a fact which combines the event of “breaking a leg” occurred with the entity “leg of John” at time-event “yesterday” and the relationship “is in” valid between “John” and “Santa Clara Hospital” now. We use the term object to refer to entities, relationships, events or facts, undistinguishably.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.1 Logical Design
          Subjects: Data models

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: User interfaces
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.4 Processors
          Subjects: Interpreters

  F. Theory of Computation
  F.4 MATHEMATICAL LOGIC AND FORMAL LANGUAGES
      F.4.3 Formal Languages
          Subjects: Classes defined by grammars or automata (e.g., context-free languages, regular sets, recursive sets)

  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.4 Knowledge Representation Formalisms and Methods
          Subjects: Relation systems

  J. Computer Applications
  J.1 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA PROCESSING
      Subjects: Business

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Languages