Metamodel Database (MDB)
The MDB is a graph database that records
- The Node/Relationship/Property structure of data models across a set of systems or repositories;
- Terms, i.e., controlled vocabulary, employed in the backend data systems that the models represent;
- Synonyms for vocabulary mapped between models or from external standards; and,
- Acceptable Value Sets of Terms for Properties having enumerated value domains, and data types for other properties.
The MDB is intended to provide an up-to-date view across data models for an integrated system of data repositories. Some use cases include:
- Auditing and maintenance of data model changes and updates;
- Storage of synonym mappings among entities and terminology from different models;
- Detailed searching across large models and sets of terminology;
- Exploration of model structure for QA of within- and between-model consistency and accuracy of vocabulary;
- Enabling automated transformation of data between different models via stored synonym, hierarchical, and other mappings;
- Providing a single resource for viewing and evaluating existing data models in a system, for model reuse or new model design.
More details about the structure and rationale behind the MDB is available.