Using field specifications to determine attribute equivalence in heterogeneous databases

Abstract

One step in integrating heterogeneous database systems is matching equivalent attributes: determining which fields in the two databases refer to the same data. The authors see three (complementary) techniques to automate this process: synonym dictionaries that compare field names, design criteria that compare field specifications, and comparison of data values. They present a technique for using field specifications to compare attributes, and evaluate this technique on a variety of databases.<>