Reuse of Database Design Decisions

Abstract

Reuse of available databases can support database design and reverse-engineering of databases by allowing design decisions to be derived from existing databases.

This article proposes a method for reusing databases similar to the approach used in case-based reasoning. Similar databases, or similar parts of databases, are first determined. We then discuss the information to be reused and how it can be validated. Two methods for building libraries are suggested for use in this process.