Interactive and visual environment supporting conceptual modeling of complex OODB applications

ABSTRACT

In this paper we present the graphical user interface of Mosaico, an environment for the analysis and conceptual modeling of Object-Oriented database applications. Mosaico is based on a formalism, the Object-Oriented conceptual language TQL++, that appears more friendly than others. Neverthless, to relieve the designer from knowing the details of TQL++, we developed an iconic interface that guides the construction of a database application specification. The output of the conceptual modeling phase is a knowledge base, which can be verified statically and, once transformed into executable code, can be tested with sample data. Furthermore, Mosaico is capable to present the content of a conceptual model in a diagrammatic form. This facility has been implemented within an abstract diagram approach, which guarantees a high level of independence with respect to the drawing tool.

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