FlexiDC:A Flexible Platform for Database Conversion

Abstract

Database conversion is a process to transfer data from one database to another along with its structure. Since there are many database systems created by organization or individuals, such systems can be in diverse types such as Access, Oracle and MySql. The progression in technology requires some systems to be upgraded to a newer system (e.g., adding new records' structures, changing platform) or migrated (e.g., adapting to a newer version of a system). In order to work with different types of database, a common platform is needed to do data integration or conversion due to their heterogeneity and platform diversity. This paper presents a computerized tool, namely FlexiDC, which is implemented using Java programming language to provide a single platform for database conversion. This platform uses Oracle as a working platform that allows records from various formats and types of databases to be integrated and manipulated before producing a single or multiple databases. Novelties of this work are column level conversion and flexible changing of data type. Therefore, the cost and time to deal with any database enhancement, migration, integration, conversion and new development can be reduced in order to accommodate with the changing requirements in the existing databases.