XML-based integration data model and schema mapping in multidatabase systems

Multidatabase systems are designed to achieve schema integration and data interoperation among distributed and heterogeneous database systems. But data model heterogeneity and schema heterogeneity make this a challenging task. A multidatabase common data model is firstly introduced based on XML, named XML-based Integration Data Model (XIDM), which is suitable for integrating different types of schemas. Then an approach of schema mappings based on XIDM in multidatabase systems has been presented. The mappings include global mappings, dealing with horizontal and vertical partitioning between global schemas and export schemas, and local mappings, processing the transformation between export schemas and local schemas. Finally, the illustration and implementation of schema mappings in a multidatabase prototype — Panorama system are also discussed. The implementation results demonstrate that the XIDM is an efficient model for managing multiple heterogeneous data sources and the approaches of schema mapping based on XIDM behave very well when integrating relational, object-oriented database systems and other file systems.