Module title model data objects
Model Data Objects (often simply called Models) are structured representations of real-world entities or
concepts. They act as the "blueprints" for how data should be organized, validated, and manipulated
within an [Link] on the context (programming vs. databases), a "Model Data Object"
can refer to a class definition or a specific instance of data.
Unit one conceptual data model
conceptual schema or conceptual data model is a high-level description of informational needs
underlying the design of a database. It typically includes only the core concepts and the main
relationships among them. This is a high-level model with insufficient detail to build a complete,
functional database.
data model represents the overall structure of data required to support the business requirements
independent of any software or data storage structure
Business operations are the daily activities, processes, and systems a company uses to create products
or services, generate revenue, and function efficiently.
When building a Conceptual Data Model (CDM), requirements are gathered to ensure the database will
reflect the business reality perfectly. While Functional and Non-Functional requirements are standard,
Pseudocode Requirements are a unique bridge used to define the logic of data manipulation before a
single line of SQL is written.
1. Functional Requirements (The "What")
In the context of a CDM, functional requirements define the content and business rules that the data
must capture. They answer the question: "What business facts do we need to store?"
Entities: Identification of all core objects (e.g., Student, Course, Enrollment).
Attributes: Specific data points for each entity (e.g., a Student must have a DOB and Email).
Relationships: How entities link together (e.g., "A Student enrolls in a Course").
Business Rules: Constraints on the data (e.g., "A student cannot enroll in more than 5 courses per
semester").
2. Non-Functional Requirements (The "How Well")
Non-functional requirements for a CDM focus on the quality, usability, and architecture of the model
itself, rather than the data inside it.
Understandability: The model must be clear enough for non-technical stakeholders (like a Dean or a
Manager) to validate.
Completeness: The model must cover the entire project scope without "data silos" (orphaned entities
with no links).
Consistency: Naming conventions must be uniform (e.g., always using _ID as a suffix for identifiers).
Extensibility: The model should be designed so that adding a new entity (like Online_Course) doesn't
require tearing down the existing structure.
3. Pseudocode Requirements (The "Logic")
Pseudocode is rarely used to draw the model, but it is essential for defining the Calculations and
Transformations that the data must support. These requirements describe the "algorithms of the data."
Instead of writing complex SQL, you write "English-like" logic to explain how data should be handled:
Derived Data Logic: * Requirement: "Calculate Total_GPA."
Pseudocode: FOR EACH Student: SET GPA = SUM(Grades) / COUNT(Courses)
Integrity Checks: * Requirement: "Prevent duplicate enrollments."
Pseudocode: IF (Student_ID AND Course_ID) EXIST IN Enrollment_Table: REJECT input AND DISPLAY
"Already Enrolled"
Data Archiving: * Pseudocode: IF Course_Date < (Current_Date - 5 years): MOVE record TO
History_Archive
Summary Comparison Table
Requirement Type Focus Area Example for a School System
Functional The Data Content "We must store Student Names and Course IDs."
Non-Functional The Model Quality "The ER Diagram must be readable on one page."
Pseudocode The Processing Logic "IF Age < 18: REQUIRE Parent_Permission = True"
Why combine them?
Using all three ensures your data model isn't just a static picture.
Functional builds the Structure (The Skeleton).
Non-Functional ensures the Quality (The Health).
Pseudocode defines the Movement (The Muscles/Logic).
Would you like me to help you write the pseudocode logic for a specific data rule, such as calculating
"Total Order Value" in an E-commerce model?