Design theory for advanced datamodels

Argues in favour of a design theory for advanced data models, such as object-oriented models. We start from basic design desiderata for databases, independent from the underlying data model. The basis of our investigation is a generic object-oriented data model (OODM), for which all common data models can be considered as special cases. Then we approach a unification and generalization of dependency theory for the OODM, focusing on functional, multi-valued inclusion and join dependencies and cardinality constraints. One major problem in the theory is due to the presence of object identifiers. Finally, we discuss the relationship between dependencies, normal forms and the design desiderata, emphasizing database schema translations