In the context of complex information systems, modelling is of central importance, e.g. – in the context of systems to be developed – for a better understanding of their functionality or in the context of existing systems for supporting maintenance and further development.

Modelling, in particular modelling of information systems, forms the core part of this lecture. The lecture is organized in two parts. The first part mainly covers the modelling of static aspectes, the second part covers the modelling of dynamic aspects of information systems.

The lecture sets out with a definition of modelling and the advantages of modelling. After that, advanced aspects of UML, the Entity Relationship model (ER model) and logics as a means of modelling static aspects will be explained. This will be complemented by the relational data model and the systematic design of databases based on ER models. For modelling dynamic aspects, different types of petri-nets together with their respective analysis techniques will be introduced.

Learning objectives:

Students

• explain the strengths and weaknesses of various modeling approachesfor Information Systems and choose an appropriate method for a given problem,
• create UML models, ER models and Petri nets for given problems,
• modelling given situations in propositional and predicate logic and can interpret them,
• analyze various properties in propositional and predicate logic,
• create and evaluate a relational database schema and express queries in relational algebra.

Workload:

• Total effort: 120-135 hours
• Presence time: 45 hours
• Self study: 75-90 hours

• Bernhard Rumpe. Modellierung mit UML, Springer-Verlag, 2004.
• R. Elmasri, S. B. Navathe. Fundamentals of Database Systems. Pearson Education 2009.
• W. Reisig. Petrinetze, Springer-Verlag, 2010.

Weiterführende Literatur:

• U. Kastens, H. Kleine Büning. Modellierung – Grundlagen und Formale Methoden. Carl Hanser Verlag, 2014
• J.L. Peterson. Petri Net Theory and Modeling of Systems, Prentice Hall, 1981.
• U. Schöning. Logik für Informatiker. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag,
  2000