Information modelling: foundation, abstraction mechanisms and approach

This paper briefly presents a new information modelling methodology useful as an information systems development approach. The methodology is based on a set of fundamental abstraction mechanisms which provide the means for modelling on a number of abstraction levels and, on the highest levels, the most invariant components and structures of the information model can be identified and defined. It is also based on the object-oriented paradigm which is applied in harmony with the abstraction mechanisms. The methodology introduces an alternative to the traditional entity relationship technique with respect to modelling of information and on this basis it can support efforts to construct reusable, extensible and reliable information systems.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]