Design and implementation of the life-cycle support system (LSS) generator language based on entity category relationship (ERC) data model

Abstract

Most of the life cycle support system (LSS) generator systems are based on entity relationship attribute (ERA) data moel. Though ERA data model is general, it has several defects. One of these is the lack of abstraction mechanism (specialization or generalization). Therefore, the LSS generator system based on ERA world view inherits the same defect. Recently, entity category relationship (ECR) data model is suggested, which is extended ERA model having additional "category" concept. Since "category" is introduced to describe abstraction mechanism exists among the data items, ECR model can be a basis for the extended LSS generator system which is able to represent the abstraction mechanism. The main purpose of this thesis is to design and implement LSS generator language based on ECR data model called "ECRML (ECR based Meta Language)". ECRML has additional feature and capacity such as data abstraction facility. Together with this extension in LSS generator language, this research lays a corner stone in complete development of LSS generator system. To verify the usefulness and validity of LSS generator language and lay the first step toward complete LSS generator system, several tools were developed. Table generator, data base interface, and driven tools such as logical scheme generator and language summary report generator are developed. Once the LSS generator based on ECR data model is developed, it is possible to develop the LSS with abstraction mechanism accurately and efficiently.