Managing schema versions in object-oriented databases

The schemas of object-oriented databases are frequently changed in advanced applications such as Computer-Aided Design. This generates many schema versions that are used to model the evolving structure of a real world entity. Thus, there exists a need for an adequate method of managing the schema versions effectively, so that the user can trace the history of the changing schema with ease. In this paper, we propose a nested matrix model for the management of schema versions in object-oriented databases. The model maintains a semantic set of relationships between the schema versions. The advantages of our work include the provision of a logical representation for schema versions that are not addressed sufficiently in exiting models and the development of a graphic querying interface.