Domain model: concept, structure and basic principles

In software engineering, the domain model is conceptual. It includes both behavior and data. In the ontology of technology, a domain model is a formal representation of a domain with concepts, swarms, data types, individuals, and rules commonly used in the description of logic.

General information

Domain Information Model

The domain model is an abstraction system that describes individual aspects of the sphere of knowledge, influence, or activity. Then it can be used to solve problems related to this area. A domain model is a representation of significant real-world concepts related to material aspects that need to be modeled in software. The concepts include the data used in the business and the rules that the organization applies to these components.

The domain model usually uses a professional vocabulary. This allows you to convey submissions to interested parties. It should not refer to any technical implementation.

Using

Infological model of the subject area

A domain model is usually implemented as an object sphere at a level that uses lower values ​​to store and publish the API at a higher level to gain access to data and the behavior of the sphere.

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) uses a class diagram to represent the system.

Features and Key Features

The domain information model provides an overview of the entire domain, such as clinical research, healthcare, or care. DIMs are typically created using UML (Unified Modeling Language) class diagrams to represent the semantics of an entire subject using a language understood by those skilled in the art. These models show judgments such as people, places, and actions, as well as how each of them relates to each other.

Applications, software interfaces, enterprise add-ons, and other electronic systems can be developed using DIM. Even if they are implemented using different programming languages, all areas using DIM have the same semantics. It provides a critical foundation for software interaction and meaningful data exchange. Applications created using BRIDG have a common concept of “built-in”, which ensures compatibility between such heterogeneous systems.

None of the programs used will implement all objects of the domain model. However, the completeness of coverage allows end users to browse the BRIDG semantics universe and select the specific resources needed to implement any solution. BRIDG uses domain model concepts and examples that make sense to experts, so they can work closely with software developers and analysts to validate DIMs and select objects suitable for their project.

In cases where no items in BRIDG cover the necessary semantics of a new project, end users can work with analysts. Such collaboration will help identify these gaps, provide use cases to describe them, and then fill in all the nuances with new semantics. The BRIDG-based domain information model can then be used by a development team. This is relevant, for example, to create other systems.

The logical domain model of existing projects can also be used to improve interoperability. The physical design is developed based on the above. It includes system-specific details, such as data types specific to a programming language, access restrictions, etc. All specific implementations will be easily traceable to a reference standard.

According to Bruce Johnson

Domain Data Model

The infological model of the subject area is a key component of a successfully developed data storage program or its architecture. Often, when it is created, it is used only for the purpose of segmentation. Regardless of whether someone is developing it on their own or purchasing a solution, having an application can help with many operations. When used effectively, it also supports and helps with development and deployment.

It is necessary to look deeper into the concept of a domain model. It is important for users to understand how to make the most of it.

What is SAM

The domain model is the most efficient way to break down business definitions. They cover areas of high-level solutions, although they are most often used to define data areas in a new organization or in one that is developing a formal architecture program.

The model should be used as the basis for displaying all areas in the organization. The key to any successful domain model is to ensure that the terminology and definitions associated with it are business-oriented and understandable at a glance. There are various requirements for the number of items that are effective or desirable. As a rule, there should be at least 6 and no more than 20.

The general concept of creating a valuable model is that objects should not change. As a business grows, it can grow in nature, but it should not change significantly.

Various methods and approaches for determining the model of the subject domain of sound are too numerous and long to be fully described in one small article.

How to use SAM

Building a domain model

A well-defined application should not be something created and sent to the shelf. This is what needs to be integrated into the data architecture, which corresponds to the reason for its creation. The definition of business oversight and model management ensures that the business is not only actively involved, but also helps to manage and recognize the values ​​achieved. Most of the IT support after the initial creation includes the mapping and modeling of the components of the detailed data sphere that make up the complex part.

How to get maximum

Once SAM has been created, there are several ways to use it to achieve maximum impact. Here are the categories you might find useful:

  • Planning. Since needs are prioritized and planned, SAM can provide a basis for communication of projects that need to be developed and deployed. Business leadership can help provide a link between planning and action with data to create common terminology that matches the nature of entrepreneurship.
  • Establishment of management. Determining how the business controls the collection, quality and use of data is a key advantage of SAM. Often the separation of control is best done by each subject separately. This may mean the presence of official stewards, each of which is responsible for the item or the presence of the person responsible for them.
  • Planning for data collection or integration. To build domain and practice models for area-oriented design definitions, a system can help logically separate components. At the same time, it provides fragmentation, which allows resources to focus on the quality and integrity of specific areas and associate them with their respective custodians.
  • Communications. An effective action plan often reduces barriers that slow projects and delivery. Sharing common data processing as an asset for an organization can provide several benefits. Firstly, it will help to remove concerns about protection. Secondly, you can see how the evolution of systems relates to their resources, as well as how this will affect the overall success of the business. The plan can be used to describe why data is needed for analytical work.
  • Definition of requirements. In the data for an individual project, it is useful to have a high-level model that can be used to quickly find components. In this case, SAM is used to communicate and verify how the needs of any effort fit into the overall architecture. In efforts related to the storage of information, this provides the basis for sorting and organizing the source of the target display.

Data Model Development

Logical model of the domain

The most common use of SAM is to let the modeling team focus and prioritize when creating an architecture project. Then it can become the basis for building a common model, allowing several resources to work on parts, creating a corporate data sphere at the same time.

A domain data model is a tool that, after creation, can and should be used for various purposes. Ideally, the sphere becomes the cornerstone of a well-defined data architecture program. Most importantly, it should be used together to create an integrated program. The alignment of business and IT, a model in the development and oversight process, can help bridge the gap between effort and planning.

Data quality

The database as a domain model plays one of the main roles in successful business. Information is an important asset of the enterprise. Therefore, its quality is crucial. Individual redundant data is one of the main factors contributing to low levels. EDM is important for data quality because it detects inconsistencies inherent in redundant areas. Existing problems can be identified by mapping systems to EDM. As the new areas are built on the basis of the corporate data model, many potential quality problems will be identified and resolved before implementation.

Possession

Domain Model Description

Ownership of corporate data is important because of their shared nature, especially in their maintenance and administration. EDM is used as a tool for managing ownership, identifying and documenting the relationships and dependencies of information that crosses business and organization boundaries. Thus, the concept of joint ownership, existing in the initiative of corporate spheres, is supported.

Data system extensibility

EDM supports an expanding architecture. Extensibility is the ability to scale the functionality of a system, effectively meeting the needs of a changing user environment. Expandable systems have the ability to add or enhance functionality with little side effects. Based on a technology-independent strategic business concept, EDM supports extensibility, enabling transition to new areas of opportunity with minimal IT changes.

Industry Data Integration

Build a domain model

No business operates in a vacuum. Because EDM includes look and feel, it enhances the organization’s ability to share common data in its industry. Organizations in the same area often use the same underlying data (for example, customers, location, suppliers). Organizations can also share information with related industries or business partners. For example, in the aviation industry, specialists often integrate with car rental companies. EDM, from its industry point of view, includes a structural domain model for data interaction.

Packaged Application Integration

EDM can be used for their support, planning and purchase, as well as for implementation. This is achieved by matching the packaged application with EDM, establishing its relevance within the enterprise. Because existing systems are also related, integration points can be identified between the packaged application and existing systems, providing a roadmap for consistent quality data flow through the product.

Strategic System Planning

EDM defines data dependencies. Since existing subject domain model systems are mapped to EDM, a gap analysis can be performed to determine the information needs of the business. From parsing gaps and data dependencies, you can prioritize system releases.

In the process model of the domain of corporate data modeling, the top-down-bottom-up approach is used for all systems designs. EDM is an artifact derived from descending steps. Ascendants are also important because they use existing sources to create projects efficiently and effectively.

The Domain Area (ESAM) is first created and then expanded, establishing the enterprise conceptual model (ECM). Although the models are interconnected, each of them has its own unique personality and purpose. Creating EDM is more an art than a science.

What is ESAM?

Consider what an enterprise domain model (ESAM) is. Corporate areas are any information important to a business and stored for additional use. Data will not be saved unless the need arises. Thus, most areas can be considered an enterprise, making its scale enormous. This is true even for strong teams that are almost impossible to design, develop and maintain without breaking into more manageable parts.

The main objective of the enterprise domain model is the idea of ​​“divide and conquer”. ESAM covers the entire organization. All data produced and used by business are presented in the subject area. Their average number for the organization is from 10 to 12. Additional subject areas may be required for more complex systems. ESAM is the foundation for enterprise information.

Domain Model Description

Each area is a high-level data classification representing a group of concepts related to the main topic. It reflects interest for the organization. Relational domain models can represent general business concepts (customer, product, employee, and finance), as well as industry ones.

Thematic areas can be grouped into three high-level business categories: income, activities and support. These groups are of great importance, since each of them represents a clearly different business orientation. Types of income focus on profit, including planning, accounting and accountability. Types of operations represent the core business functions involved in daily activities.

Support entities help business activity, and do not represent the core business. All organizations share these high-level business groups. For example, airline subject areas are grouped as follows:

  • Profitable ticket, reservation, sale, inventory, prices.
  • Operation: flight, location, equipment, maintenance, schedule.
  • Support for IT, finance, employees, customers.

Data subject area

Taxonomy is the science of naming, categorizing and classifying things in a hierarchical order based on a set of criteria. Data Taxonomy is a classification tool applied to data to understand, design, maintain and build a domain model. A taxonomy includes several hierarchical levels of classification. At the highest, all data can be placed in one of three systems: basic, transactional, or informational. They differ in production models and concepts, as well as their life cycles.

Underlying data is used to identify, support or create other areas. They include reference type information, metadata, and lists needed to complete business operations. Transactional data is the system created or updated as a result of business transaction systems. They are dynamic in nature and relevant in operating systems.

Information data is historical, generalized or derived. They are usually created from operational information that is found in decision support systems.

Subject areas can be classified according to their prevailing grouping. At the granularity level, subject areas contain all three data classes. , . , 14 :

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Color plays an important role in ESAM, as well as throughout EDM. Each subject area, its subsequent concepts and data objects have their own shade. One color is used for all concepts, objects and tables related to a specific area. The use of hue provides instant understanding when viewing any of the organization’s models.

Creating ESAM follows corporate standards, naming methodology, and analysis. The database as a model of the subject area is key, because with its help all objects will be tied to a single sphere.


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