Information Modeling Summary
This lesson summarizes the key concepts of information modeling as applied in the STEP and AP 210 context.
What is Information Modeling?
Information modeling is the process of defining the structure, relationships, and constraints of data in a domain. An information model is a formal specification that:
Defines the types of objects that exist in the domain
Specifies their attributes and relationships
Enforces constraints to ensure data validity
Provides a shared vocabulary for communication
The EXPRESS Modeling Approach
EXPRESS follows an entity-attribute approach to information modeling:
Each real-world concept maps to an entity
Properties of concepts map to attributes
Relationships between concepts use references (entity-valued attributes)
Constraints enforce business rules using WHERE rules and global rules
Complex types are built using enumerations, selects, and aggregations
Abstract vs. Concrete Models
In the STEP framework, there are two levels of modeling:
Application Reference Model (ARM) - An abstract model of the application domain, using domain-specific terminology
Application Interpreted Model (AIM/MIM) - A concrete model mapped to the STEP integrated resources, using generic resource constructs
AP 210 defines both. The ARM describes electronic design concepts; the MIM maps them to STEP resource entities for data exchange.