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The concepts of model in information systems engineering: a proposal for an ontology of models

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2009

Diana M. Sánchez ,
José María Cavero  and
Esperanza Marcos
Diana M. Sánchez
Affiliation:
Kybele Research Group, Department of Computing Languages and Systems II, School of Computer Science Engineering, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, Spain. e-mail: diana.sanchez@urjc.es, josemaria.cavero@urjc.es, esperanza.marcos@urjc.es
José María Cavero
Affiliation:
Kybele Research Group, Department of Computing Languages and Systems II, School of Computer Science Engineering, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, Spain. e-mail: diana.sanchez@urjc.es, josemaria.cavero@urjc.es, esperanza.marcos@urjc.es
Esperanza Marcos
Affiliation:
Kybele Research Group, Department of Computing Languages and Systems II, School of Computer Science Engineering, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, Spain. e-mail: diana.sanchez@urjc.es, josemaria.cavero@urjc.es, esperanza.marcos@urjc.es
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Abstract

Modelling is one of the most frequent tasks in the area of information systems (ISs), with models such as schemata, ontologies, patterns and architectures forming the bases for their creation. Very often, however, the difference between these types of models is not clear and causes confusion and erratic use of the terms. The aim of this paper is to clarify the concept of model through a study of some of the more common ones used in ISs. This proposal is presented through an ontology, where we show how we conceptualize models according to their role in the development of an IS: the model understood as the representation of a domain or as a reality serving as an example.

Type
Article
Information
The Knowledge Engineering Review , Volume 24 , Special Issue 1: Software and system engineering – part 1 , March 2009 , pp. 5 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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