A General Methodology for Data Conversion and Restructuring

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology and a model for data conversion or translation. The model assumes that both source and target systems are available and that conversion interfaces may be required to interact between these systems and the conversion system. To achieve data conversion or translation using this approach, two languages are needed: 1) a language to describe the data structures, and 2) a language to specify the mapping between source and target data. This paper describes these two languages, DEFINE and CONVERT and gives numerous examples to show the capabilities of these languages and how they can be used in data conversion and restructuring. Both languages are high level and nonprocedural and have the power to deal with most situations encountered in data conversion processes. In addition, the paper also describes some of the facilities in the languages specifically designed for data checking in a data conversion process.