Conceptual modeling: a critical survey and a few perspectives

The ANSI/X3/SPARC architecture is a basic component of the database technology. Conceptual modeling is a major element of database design. After twenty years of use a contrasted evaluation can be done. Formalisms, design techniques and mappings represent very different interpretations of the proposed architecture. Most of the time, naturalness and intuition are the guidelines for an easy conceptual modeling which provides few benefits, if any. Fortunately, experience shows that conceptual modeling can be highly beneficial when ANSI/X3/SPARC is strictly adhered to. Advanced databases require a rigorous use of conceptual modeling and there is an absolute need for such advanced conceptual modeling to master these new systems