JP2001325278A - Chart processor, storage medium and chart processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more easily recognize subordination between entities indicated in an ER chart and to change it by simple work. SOLUTION: A processor 1 extracts the names of the entities indicated in the ER chart and judges the subordinate states of the respective entities. Then, the processor 1 prepares a subordination matrix for which the names of the entities are respectively a column index and a row index and the subordination between the respective entities is indicated in the column of the intersection of the pertinent column index and row index. The processor 1 receives the change specification of the subordination indicated in the subordination matrix and updates the subordination matrix corresponding to the specification. Further, the processor 1 updates the ER chart so as to match with the updated subordination matrix.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ER (Entity Relations) used for, for example, construction of a database.
p) The present invention relates to a chart processing apparatus, a storage medium, and a chart processing method for supporting an editing process for a drawing that illustrates a correlation between each of a plurality of pieces of information such as a drawing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In designing a database, an ER diagram is generally used.

[0003] An ER diagram is a diagram showing names of entities (which will become tables in a database), and key items and subordinate items related to the entities, or relationships (table relationships) representing subordination relationships among the entities. And corresponds to the design drawing of the database.

[0004] The ER diagram is shown by James
Martin recommends "Information Engineering (IE)" and the Pentagon's "IDEF"
1X "and the like are widely known.

[0005]

However, although the ER diagram can easily give an overall picture of the correlation between each entity and data item, it is difficult to confirm the setting state of a specific data item. , ER diagram may not be understood without detailed examination. This is relatively easy for ER diagram designers,
For example, when the constructed database is to be modified while referring to the ER diagram, the operator is often different from the designer, and the work load of such an operator increases.

Further, one data item may be included in a plurality of entities. However, since such data items are individually shown completely independently in the ER diagram, it is troublesome to find them without overlooking them. If an oversight occurs, the correction may not be performed properly.

[0007] Furthermore, since the ER diagram is created and corrected using a tool such as a drawing software,
The correction required a complicated operation and was troublesome.

[0008] As described above, only the ER diagram has a problem that the correction work is very troublesome and causes an erroneous work.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to more easily recognize the correlation state of the information shown in the drawings and to make it possible to recognize the correlation state. It is an object of the present invention to enable a change to be made by a simple operation.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method according to the present invention between each of a plurality of predetermined information (for example, between entities or between an entity and a data item).
The predetermined information of the plurality of pieces of information is set as a first heading and the predetermined information of the plurality of pieces of information is set as a second In the column located at the intersection of the first and second headings, a table showing the correlation between the pieces of information corresponding to each heading is created. Table means, accepting means such as change accepting means realized by software processing by a processor, for example, accepting a change designation of a predetermined item (for example, correlation state) shown in a table created by the table creating means, and this accepting means Updating the table according to the specified content accepted by the processor, for example, a matrix updating procedure realized by the processor by software processing. Table updating means for updating the drawing in accordance with the update of the table by the table updating means so as to match the contents of the updated table. For example, the processor is realized by software processing. And a drawing updating means such as an ER diagram updating means.

[0011] For example, in the drawing, the correlation between predetermined symbols indicating a plurality of pieces of information such as entities is represented by connecting the symbols with a predetermined correlation line. The means uses each of the information as the first and second headings (for example, a column heading and a row heading) and creates a table showing a correlation state (dependency) of the information.

Alternatively, for example, the drawing shows a predetermined symbol indicating predetermined first information such as an entity in association with at least one predetermined symbol indicating second information such as a data item. And the tabulation means sets the first information as the first heading (for example, a column heading), and sets the second information as a second heading (for example, a row heading). It is assumed that a table showing a correlation state with the second information is created.

[0013] By adopting such means, a table is created based on the drawing, which shows the correlation between each of a plurality of predetermined information shown in the drawing and the plurality of information as headings. Is done. Then, a change specification based on this table is accepted, the table is updated according to the contents of the specification, and the drawing is also updated so as to match the contents of the table. Therefore, the editing operator can check the information shown in the drawing by using a table, and can also edit the drawing by editing the table.

Further, according to the present invention, the receiving means includes a predetermined one.
When two switch operations (for example, a mouse click operation) are performed, the correlation state regarding the column that is set as the operation position is changed one by one according to a predetermined change order.

[0015] By adopting such means, the change designation of the correlation state can be accepted by operating only one switch. Therefore, the editing operator needs only to operate one switch to specify the change of the correlation state.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a database design support apparatus configured by applying the diagram processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the database design support apparatus of this embodiment is based on a personal computer, and includes a processor 1, a main memory 2, a keyboard 3, a mouse 4, a display 5, a hard disk 6, and a CD-ROM drive 7. Have. These components are connected to each other via a bus system 8.

The processor 1 performs various processes according to software (programs) stored in the hard disk 6.

The main memory 2 temporarily stores software and other data actually used by the processor 1.

The keyboard 3 and the mouse 4 receive various instruction inputs from the user.

The display 5 displays images for notifying various kinds of information to the user.

The hard disk 6 stores operating system and application software used by the processor 1 or any other data. The software stored in the hard disk 6 also stores a database design support program for realizing the operation as a database design support device.

The CD-ROM drive 7 is a CD-ROM
9 is read.

The database design support program may be stored in the hard disk 6 at the stage of manufacturing the database design support apparatus.
It is stored in a CD-ROM 9 and distributed.
In this case, a general-purpose personal computer can be operated as the database design support apparatus.

By the way, the processor 1 performs matrix processing by software processing based on a database design support program installed on the hard disk 6.
A change accepting unit, a matrix updating unit, and an ER diagram updating unit can be realized.

Here, the matrix creating means creates a matrix indicating the relationship between the entities and data items shown in the ER diagram. This matrix creation means creates two types of matrices: a dependency matrix indicating the dependency between entities, and a matrix within the entity indicating the correlation between entities and data items within the entity.

The change accepting means accepts a change designation of the status information indicated in the matrix by the user.

The matrix updating means updates the status information shown in the matrix according to the user's designation received by the change receiving means.

Then, the ER diagram updating means updates the ER diagram so as to have contents according to the matrix updated by the matrix updating means.

Next, the operation of the database design support apparatus configured as described above will be described.

First, in a state where the editing process of the ER diagram is performed according to a well-known procedure, when the display of the dependency relationship matrix is instructed by a predetermined instruction operation using the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4, the processor 1 shown in FIG. Such dependency matrix editing processing is started.

In this dependency matrix editing process, the processor 1 first analyzes the data of the selected ER diagram, extracts the names of the included entities, and determines the dependency status of those entities (step ST1). Then, the processor 1 uses the extracted entity names as column headings and row headings, respectively.
In addition, a subordination matrix indicating the subordination state between the entities of the entity names set as the column heading and the row heading is created in a column located at the intersection of each column heading and each row heading, and this is displayed on the display 5. (Step ST2).

Specifically, for example, if the selected ER diagram is as shown in FIG. 3A, the entity names "company", "product", "order" and "order details"
Can be respectively extracted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, these entity names are set as column headings and row headings, respectively. Here, it is assumed that the column heading indicates the relation source of the dependent state, and the row heading indicates the relation destination of the dependent state. Further, since the subordinate relationship R1 is set with the entity E1 of “company” as a relation source and the entity E3 of “order” as a relation destination, the column heading is “company” and the row heading is “order”. A mark M1 indicating that there is a dependency relationship in a certain column is shown. Similarly, a subordinate relationship R2 with the entity E2 “product” as the relation source and the entity E4 “order details” as the relation destination
Or a dependent relationship R3 with the entity E2 “Orders” as the relationship origin and the entity E4 “Order Details” as the relationship destination
Are set respectively, the mark M1 is shown in the corresponding column. The other columns are blank because no corresponding dependency is set.

When the processor 1 is displaying the dependency matrix created in this way, the display operation of the ER diagram or the clicking operation of the mouse 4 with the pointer positioned in the dependency matrix is performed. (Step ST3 and step ST4).

In this state, when the mouse 4 is clicked, the processor 1 sets the position of the pointer (moved by the processor 1 in response to the mouse operation) displayed on the display screen of the display 5 in the column. One setting state is changed (step ST5), and thereafter, step ST3 is performed.
And it returns to the standby state of step ST4.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the pointer P is positioned in a column where the column heading is "company" and the row heading is "product", the mouse 4 If the click operation is performed, the processor 1 changes the setting state of this column by one. In this embodiment, since the state of each column is either blank display or mark M1 display as shown in FIG. 4B, these two states are changed every time the mouse 4 is clicked. Shall be replaced. Accordingly, in response to the above-mentioned click operation, the mark M1 is newly displayed in the column where the column heading is “company” and the row heading is “product” as shown in FIG. 4C. .

Now, step ST3 and step ST
When the display of the ER diagram is instructed by a predetermined instruction operation using the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4 in the standby state of No. 4,
The processor 1 updates the data of the ER diagram according to the current contents of the dependency matrix (step ST6), and ends the current dependency matrix editing processing,
The process returns to the ER diagram editing process.

Specifically, the dependency matrix is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3C, the column heading is “company” and the row heading is “product” from the initial state shown in FIG.
Is changed from blank display to mark M1 display, the ER diagram is updated to the one shown in FIG. That is, a dependency R4 is added to the initial state shown in FIG. 3A, with the entity E1 of “company” as a relation source and the entity E2 of “product” as a relation destination.

As a result, the ER diagram displayed in the ER diagram editing process has the contents edited by the editing operation (click operation of the mouse 4) by the dependency matrix editing process.

On the other hand, when the display of the data item matrix is instructed by a predetermined instruction operation using the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4 in a state where the editing process of the ER diagram is performed according to a well-known procedure, the processor 1 shown in FIG. Such data item matrix editing processing is started.

In this data item matrix editing process, the processor 1 first analyzes the data of the selected ER diagram, extracts the names of the included entities and data items (keys and subordinate items), The correlation of the item to the entity is determined (step ST11). Then, the processor 1 sets each of the extracted entity names as a column heading, sets each of the data item names as a row heading, and displays the name of the entity as the column heading in a column located at the intersection of each column heading and each row heading. Then, a data item matrix indicating the correlation between the data item having the data item name and the row heading is created, and this matrix is displayed on the display 5 (step ST12).

Specifically, for example, if the selected ER diagram is the one shown in FIG. 7A, the entity names "company", "product", "order", and "order detail"
Can be respectively extracted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, these entity names are set as column headings. Also, "Company code" as the data item name
"Company name", "Address", "Product code", etc. can be extracted respectively. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, these data item names are set as row headings. Also,
Since the data item D1 of "company code" is set in the key of the entity E1 of "company" and the subordinate item of the entity of "orders", the column heading of the row whose heading is "company code" is In the column "company", a mark M2 indicating a key is shown, and in addition, a mark M3 indicating a subordinate item in a column whose column heading is "order received" is shown. The other columns of the line whose line heading is "company code" are blank because there is no correlation. Similarly, data item D of "company name"
2. Data item D3 of "company name", data item D4 of "address", data item D5 of "product code", data item D6 of "product name", data item D of "unit price"
7. In the row of the corresponding row heading, it is described how each of the data item D8 of “Order No.”, the data item D9 of “Number” and the data item D10 of “Delivery date” are in relation to each entity. Show.

In the state where the data item matrix created in this way is displayed, the processor 1 executes ER
It waits for a click operation of the mouse 4 in a state where the pointer is positioned in the display instruction of the figure or the data item matrix (step ST13 and step ST13).
14).

In this state, when the mouse 4 is clicked, the processor 1 sets the position of the pointer (moved by the processor 1 in response to the mouse operation) displayed on the display screen of the display 5 in the column. One setting state is changed (step ST15), and after that, step ST
13 and return to the standby state of step ST14.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), when the pointer is located in the column where the column heading is "Order Details" and the row heading is "Product Code", If the click operation of No. 4 is performed, the processor 1 changes the setting state of this column by one. Here, in the present embodiment, the state of each column is one of blank display, mark M2 display and mark M3 display as shown in FIG. 8B, so that each time the mouse 4 is clicked, the state shown in FIG. These states will be switched in order. Therefore, in response to the above-mentioned click operation, FIG.
, The column whose column heading is “Order Details” and whose row heading is “Product Code” is changed from the mark M2 display to the mark M3 display.

Now, step ST13 and step S
In the standby state of T14, the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4
When the display of the ER diagram is instructed by a predetermined instruction operation by the user, the processor 1 updates the data of the ER diagram according to the contents of the current data item matrix (step ST1).
6) With this, the current data item matrix editing process is completed, and the process returns to the ER diagram editing process.

Specifically, the data item matrix is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7C, the column where the column heading is “Order Details” and the line heading is “Product Code” from the initial state shown in FIG. 7B is changed from the mark M2 display to the mark M3 display. If it has been changed, the ER diagram is updated to the one shown in FIG. That is, in the initial ER diagram shown in FIG. 7A, the data item D4 of "product code" in the entity E4 of "order details" is displayed in the key display area, but the display area of the subordinate data is displayed. Change the display area to.

As a result, the ER diagram displayed in the ER diagram editing process has the contents edited by the editing operation (click operation of the mouse 4) by the data item matrix editing process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operator can analyze the dependency of each entity from a viewpoint different from that of the ER diagram based on a matrix as shown in FIG. Dependency of each entity can be grasped more accurately. The dependency of each entity can be easily changed by changing the display state of the corresponding column.

Further, the operator can analyze the correlation between the data items set for each entity from a viewpoint different from that of the ER diagram based on a matrix as shown in FIG. The correlation with the item can be grasped more accurately. In particular, in the data item matrix, when one data item is correlated with a plurality of entities, such a state can be determined at a glance, and an oversight or the like can be prevented. And the correlation between each entity and the data item,
It can be easily changed by changing the display state of the corresponding column.

In addition, the operation of changing the dependency relationship between the entities and the correlation between the entities and the data items is only a click operation of the mouse 4 and is very simple.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the setting change in the matrix is received by a click operation of the mouse 4, but the change is received by another operation such as selection from a pull-down menu or input of a predetermined selection number on the keyboard 3. Alternatively, a plurality of them may be made effective.

In the above embodiment, the dependency of the entity and the correlation between the entity and the data item can be changed. However, another item such as modification, addition, or deletion of the entity name or the data item name can be changed. May be performed.

In the above embodiment, both the dependency relationship matrix and the data item matrix are created, and the ER diagram can be edited based on the respective matrices. Is also feasible.

In the above embodiment, the CD-RO is used as a medium for distributing the database design support program.
Although M9 is illustrated, another storage medium such as a DVD-ROM may be used.

In the above embodiment, the chart processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to the database design support apparatus to perform the processing related to the ER diagram. Is applicable, so that it is also applicable to devices other than the database design support device. The table to be created is not limited to the dependency relationship matrix or the data item matrix, and should appropriately represent the correlation between the data shown in the drawing to be processed.

In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0059]

According to the present invention, based on a drawing showing a correlation between each of a plurality of pieces of predetermined information, the predetermined information among the plurality of pieces of information is used as a first heading, A table is created in which a predetermined information of the plurality of pieces of information is set as a second heading and a column located at the intersection of the first and second headings indicates a correlation state of the information corresponding to each heading. Table making means, receiving means for receiving a change designation of a predetermined item shown in the table created by the table making means, and table updating means for updating the table according to the contents of the specification received by the receiving means And a drawing updating means for updating the drawing so as to match the contents of the updated table in response to the update of the table by the table updating means. Information shown in the drawing It can be confirmed by a table, and editing of the drawing can be performed by editing in the table. As a result, it is possible to more easily recognize the correlation state of the information shown in the drawing, The change can be performed by a simple operation.

According to the present invention, when the predetermined one switch operation is performed, the reception unit changes the correlation state regarding the field set as the operation position according to a predetermined change order.
Since the change is performed one by one, the editing operator only needs to operate one switch to specify the change of the correlation state, and it is possible to further simplify the operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a database design support apparatus configured by applying a diagram processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a dependency matrix editing process is performed by a processor 1 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an ER diagram and a dependency matrix created from the ER diagram.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of an editing operation in a dependency relationship matrix.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an ER diagram updated based on the edited dependency relationship matrix.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a data item matrix editing process by a processor 1 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an ER diagram and a data item matrix created from the ER diagram.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state of editing work in a data item matrix.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an ER diagram updated based on a data item matrix after editing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Processor 2 ... Main memory 3 ... Keyboard 4 ... Mouse 5 ... Display 6 ... Hard disk 7 ... CD-ROM drive 8 ... Bus system

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hideki Naroo 2-10-14 Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Sumisho Information System Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B075 ND06 NK04 PP03 PP13 PQ02 PQ13 5B082 GA14

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information of the plurality of pieces of information is set as a first heading based on a drawing illustrating a correlation between each of the plurality of pieces of predetermined information. Tabulation means for creating a table showing a correlation state between the pieces of information corresponding to each heading in a column located at the intersection of the first and second headings, using the predetermined information as a second heading; Receiving means for receiving a change designation of a predetermined item shown in the table created by the table making means; table updating means for updating the table in accordance with the content of the specification received by the receiving means; And a drawing updating means for updating the drawing so as to match the contents of the updated table in accordance with the update of the table. 2. The drawing shows a correlation between predetermined symbols indicating each of a plurality of pieces of information by connecting the symbols with a predetermined correlation line, and the tabulation means includes: 2. The chart processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the pieces of information is used as the first and second headings to create a table showing a correlation state of the pieces of information. 3. The drawing shows a predetermined symbol indicating predetermined first information and a predetermined symbol indicating at least one piece of second information in association with each other. The first information is used as the first heading, and the second information is used as the second heading,
2. The chart processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chart processing apparatus creates a table indicating a correlation state between the first information and the second information. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accepting unit changes the correlation state of the column set as the operation position one by one in accordance with a predetermined change order when one predetermined switch is operated. The chart processing device according to 1. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of information is defined as a first and a second heading based on a drawing illustrating a correlation between each of the plurality of predetermined pieces of information.
Tabulation means for creating a table showing the correlation between the information corresponding to each heading in a column located at the intersection of the headings of the above; and designation of change of predetermined items shown in the table created by the tabulation means Receiving means for receiving, a table updating means for updating the table in accordance with the contents of the specification received by the receiving means, and updating the table in response to the updating of the table by the table updating means A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform software processing as means for updating the drawing so as to match the contents of the table so as to correspond to the contents of the table. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of information is defined as a first and a second heading based on a drawing illustrating a correlation between each of the plurality of predetermined pieces of information.
A table indicating the correlation between the pieces of information corresponding to the respective headings is created in a column located at the intersection of the headings of the headings, and a change designation of a predetermined item shown in the created table is received, and the received specification is received. Updating the table according to the contents of the table, and updating the drawing so as to match the contents of the updated table according to the update of the table in this manner. .