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

Analysis Results (only tables and keys are needed):

Two tables exists: BCD and CA.

Keys exist over BC in table BCD and C in table CA.

Column A is dependent only on the key C. Several solutions came in with both columns A and D being dependent on the key BC.

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

On 1-4-98 line 1 of purchase order PO8763 purchased part P54.

The rules are:

A purchase order number identifies a purchase order.
A line number and a purchase order number identify a purchase order line.
A part number identifies a part.
MM-DD-YY identifies a date.
A purchase order can have only one date.
A purchase order line can have only one 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