Database organization strategies for spatial decision support systems
Marc P. Armstrong, Paul J. Densham · International Journal of Geographical Information Systems · 1990
The selection of a data model is an important step in designing a spatial decision support system (SDSS) because the database is the foundation of the system, and other system components must draw upon the database to perform analysis and display functions. The diversity of representations that must be maintained to support these functions often results in a complex database. One way to simplify the implementation of a complex database is to exploit features of a data model embedded in database management software. A methodology for SDSS conceptual database design was developed using the Entity-Category-Relationship approach. To accommodate this conceptual structure in database management software, we reviewed available data models and concluded that the hybrid extended network model is appropriate for use in an SDSS context. To illustrate this methodology, we designed a logical database structure for a locational analysis SDSS.