Representing Part-Whole Relationships in Conceptual Modeling: An Empirical Evaluation

摘要: The part-of or part-whole construct is a fundamental element of many conceptual modeling grammars that used to associate one thing (a component) with another composite). Substantive theoretical issues surrounding the remain be resolved, however. For instance, contrary widespread claims, relationship between components and composites not always transitive. Moreover, how partwhole should represented in schema diagram remains contentious issue. Some analysts argue as association. Others they an entity. In this paper we use ontological theory support our arguments entities relationships associations. We also describe experiment undertook test whether representing enables users understand domain better. Our results using represent better domain.