Week 4 Abstraction layers

This week we move up the abstraction layers to look at conceptual modelling. In particular we look at Entity-Relationship Modelling (ERM) and the use of a case tool QSEE which we will use. Shortly the emphasis will be on using QSEE to create a Relational database, but at present we will use QSEE to record our understanding of the underlying data structures required to support Flickr.

• Powerpoint Slides
• QSEE at CEMS - overview
• advice on creating ERMs

In the tutorial we will be forming groups to undertake the first coursework. These groups will be selected to get a mixing of backgrounds and technical skills.

To get the basic use of QSEE sorted, you will be using this package to diagram the KML folder description from the lecture.

• A Folder has a name and contains zero, one or more PlaceMarks and some Styles
• A Placemark has attributes of :
• A name
• A description
• A position defined by its longitude, latitude and Altitude, each represented by a signed decimal number
• Each Placemark belongs tojust one Folder
  
• A Style defines the appearance of one or more placemarks
• the symbol to show as a jpeg image
• the size,
• the foreground and background colours.
• Each Placemark has a Style

The QSEE package includes some excellent help files and examples and I have supplemented this with some additional notes. We expect that you will use QSEE to document your understanding of the Flickr application before using it in a model-driven mode to create your own version of Flickr.