Essentials Of Semantic Modelling

N.L.Amrutha
imt2014036
Abstract:-
Generalization, Specialization and Aggregation are the abstraction mechanisms
in DBMS used to model information. The data entities are expressed in a conceptual
hierarchical manner. In the hierarchical model as we go up, we get a generalized view
of entities and as we go down in the hierarchy we get all the details of the entity.

Generalization:-
Generalization is the means by which objects of different types are combined
to form a higher order object type. As we approach the top of the hierarchical
structure, all the entities are clubbed together to represent a more generalized view.
While combining the lower level objects only their similarities are considered. Thus
the more specialized types are at the bottom and more generalized ones are at the top.

Example of Generalization:-
Here the savings account and current account entities can be clubbed together to give
an abstract entity Account.
Specialization:-
Specialization is opposite to Generalization. It is a top-down approach in which
a group of entities are divided into sub-groups based on their characteristics. In
specialization, some higher level entities may not have lower-level entity sets at all.

Example of Specialization:-
Here the entity student can be divided into two entities Ex-Student and Current
Student.

Aggregation:-
Aggregation is an abstraction that treats relationships as entities. Here we treat
relation between two entities as single entity. In the relational model the concept of
aggregation is employed in grouping attributes to form a relation. Semantical data
models employ aggregation to build constructed types of objects from atomic types.

Example of Aggregation:-
Here the relation between Center and Course, is acting as an Entity in relation with
Visitor.
References:-
1.)https://books.google.co.in/books?id=fT6-
ziSWBcYC&pg=PA24&dq=aggregation+in+DBMS&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQwef6h-
7OAhUHOJQKHRFqAAMQ6AEILTAD#v=onepage&q=aggregation%20in%20DBMS&f=false
2.)http://www.tutorialspoint.com/dbms/dbms_generalization_aggregation.htm
3.)http://www.studytonight.com/dbms/generalization-and-specialization
4.)https://www.iitg.ernet.in/awekar/teaching/cs344fall11/lecturenotes/august%2002.pdf