R-OK: a reflective model for distributed object management

This paper introduces the R-OK (Reflective Object Knowledge) Model. Using this model, a new information system may be constructed by interconnecting pre-existing systems. The process is enabled by the introduction of a layer of metalevel software that surrounds each local DBMS, and which knows a system´s capabilities and functionality. An object-oriented approach is taken to the description of the metalevel with the introduction of a group of special reflective objects that are used to describe and monitor every domain object in the system. Metaobjects allow the specification and implementation of a newly composed system to be intertwined. In this way a newly composed information system can draw upon the functionality of already existing systems