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Niam+ is a database modeling tool
using the 'Niam' (Object Role Modeling) database design
methodology.
Object Role
Modeling Object
Role Modeling (ORM) is a syntactically verbose conceptual
database modeling language. ORM offers a level of refinement
above Entity Relationship Modeling (ER) and Unified Modelling
Language (UML). At the same time, exponents of ORM support the
benefits of ER and UML to get accross ideas (which is what
conceptual modeling of databases is about).
For the
purist, ORM is the methodology of choice. For the novice, ORM holds
challenges because the methodology enforces a more detailed level of
thinking and understanding of the problem domain. For this
reason, it is tempting to fall back on ER and UML because
both methodologies are quoted as being 'easier to
understand'. While this is true, easier can also mean 'easier
to make big mistakes' (and organisations do end up with poor
database design).
Because of this, the database design community has an
interesting relationship with ORM. Good designers and IT
professionals know and understand ORM, while amateurs shine
away from understanding the methodology. To tell the difference,
you will find that a true database
design consultant will be equally proficient at ORM, ER and UML and
will contest none, taking the best of each methodology to solidify
good design practice.
Once you master ORM, you will
never look back. Learning ORM well will make you better at database
design, better at 'object oriented' design, and better at using ER
and UML to get accross ideas (information) that you want to share
with others.
Niam+
Niam+ is a simple Object
Role Modeling tool that aims to support all of the ORM (1) syntax.
You can use Niam+ to construct conceptual schemas, print them out
and develop a 'Data Dictionary'.
NB Niam+
uses one concept that is not found in the ORM (1) syntax, and that
is a concept of a 'Cluster' (Subject Area). This makes Niam+
particularly easy to use and makes it considerably easier to convey
meaning using ORM.
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