Issue Number 3

Analysis Problem: Solution -- by Dr. John K. Sharp

Analysis Results (only tables and keys are needed):

Thanks to Dave Cuyler of Sandia National Laboratories for the nice graphic.

Two tables exist: ABCD and DE.

In the ABCD table keys exist over AB and BD.

In the DE table keys exist over D and E.

Because of the one-to-one relationship in the DE table a uniqueness constraint also exists for BE as Dave pointed out.

The only solutions for this problem came from students of my NLM classes (and of course they all got it right). Average time was about ten minutes. Dave took longer to make the graphic! How about other analysts attempting the June problem?

Using variables instead of objects removes the "experience and art" from analysis. Excellent analysts should be able to routinely perform this type of analysis problem.

Here is the real world example that this problem was developed from:

Line 1 of purchase order 3241 orders 3 of part P432 with the name of small gear.

The rules are:

A line is identified by a line number and a purchase order number.
A part can appear only once on a purchase order.
A part number identifies a part.
A part name identifies a part.

Dr. John Sharp is the founder and principal consultant for Sharp Informatics.Before starting Sharp Informatics in 1997 he was employed by Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM for 18 years. While at Sandia he held staff and management positions in all areas of information technology, including analysis, design, implementation, maintenance, information architecture, data administration, and information technology research. He has worked closely with Prof. Shir Nijssen of The Netherlands to improve the NIAM analysis methodology. Dr. Sharp is the creator of the first information analysis procedure known to be mathematically precise.This procedure reformulates the usual (imprecise and inaccurate) statements and examples from a subject area into verified fact types. The output of this productivity enhancing process (a set of information requirements) is compatible with all the latest and most productive database application creation tools. John is the editor of the international standard for conceptual schemas. He has co-chaired two international conferences on natural language modeling and he has presented numerous papers and seminars at professional conferences.

Contact information:

Dr. John Sharp
Sharp Informatics
1604 Vassar SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
sharp@sharp-informatics.com
505-243-1498
fax 505-248-0345
http://www.sharp-informatics.com