Using Meta Data Services to Define Information Models
Information models define the meta data types that you can store and subsequently manipulate in and from another tool or application. The information model that you create and install determines the physical storage in a repository database.
The information model is a meta model, and it defines the meta data types that programmers can use and otherwise manipulate. The information model that is recommended for use with Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 Meta Data Services is the Open Information Model (OIM). This model is recommended because it contains generic meta data that is supported by a variety of third-party vendors, providing instant integration with tools and platforms that you may already be using in your development environment. Although this model is predefined, it can be extended to accommodate meta data that you require.
Typically, you define an information model using a modeling tool. However, you can also create an information model programmatically using the repository API and the COM or Automation interfaces it exposes.
Information Model as a Framework
You can think of an information model as a framework or structure for storing meta data definitions. For example, suppose you want to create design data that programmers can subsequently use to create Microsoft Visual Basic®, Microsoft Visual C++®, and Microsoft Visual J++® applications. In your information model, you define the basic elements of your application once by specifying the objects, defining relationships that associate the objects, and setting properties. Programmers can then use your model definitions in each development environment to program the implementation strategy that each language requires. Using a single information model provides a way to use the same design for multiple implementations.
The following topics provide model designers with information needed to build and deploy an information model.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Repository Object Architecture | Explains the object architecture that exposes repository engine functionality and the information model objects that the engine can manipulate.
This topic includes examples that can help you understand information model definition. |
| Defining Information Models | Provides detailed information about alternate ways of creating an information model and defining elements of an information model. |
| Installing Information Models | Explains how to install an information model into a repository database. Installing an information model makes the information model available for programming. |