Relational databases conceptual preservation

Abstract

Previously, a neutral format was adopted to pursue the goal of platform independence and to achieve a standard format in the digital preservation of relational databases, both data and structure (logical model). Currently, we intend to address the preservation of relational databases by focusing on the conceptual model of the database, considering the database semantics as an important preservation ”property”. For the representation of this higher level of abstraction present in databases we use an ontology based approach. At this higher abstraction level exists inherent Knowledge associated to the database semantics that we tentatively represent using ”Web Ontology Language” (OWL). We developed a prototype (supported by case study) and define a mapping algorithm for the conversion between the database and OWL.