This book is concerned with conceptual modeling, design and specification of in formation systems. Conventional information systems design starts with separating data from op erations, designing each with its own collection of concepts, methods, tools - and people: conceptual modeling for the imformation structure, and program design for the application programs. The separation carries through until the final implemen tation: data are collected in databases and managed with database management systems, and application programs are implemented with programming languages. This approach tends to...