We have presented a methodology for multi-datamodel translation in cooperative databases systems. We addressed the semantic heterogeneous problem of data models by defining and using a meta-model called TIME. The meta-model can be used as an intermediate data model translator design tool to allow interoperability. The meta-model provides a minimum set of meta-types that capture the semantics of different modelling concepts. It achieves extensibility by defining new meta-types as specialization of existing meta-types. Finally, it allows the reusability of translation rules by defining and coupling schema transformation rules to the meta-type specialization/generalization lattice. Our future objectives are to expand the above results to define a formal methodology and algorithms for cooperative query processing. This will allow us to define query interface for the interoperation or migration of existing systems. Moreover, the meta-types generalization hierarchy, the transformation rule and the reusability property of the model can be used to semi automatically generate data model compilers.
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