Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Computer Science Department
Proposal for a Masters Thesis
DESIGN HISTORIES FOR DATABASES
This thesis would study the intersection of Design History (DH)
research with Database Design research. Design History techniques
have been developed to maintain a computerized record of the reasons
for a design in the areas of Mechanical and Electrical design. A DH
records the reasons for every decision which contributed to the
design, as well as recording the alternatives and the reasons for
rejecting them. Database designs also need to be recorded, as having
the reasons for a design decision available may be able to prevent
unwise future changes in the design. Maintaining a DH may also allow
the use of expert systems that automatically check any suggested
changes to the design.
The work would consist of an extensive literature review, an
evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the design history
methods when applied to the area of database design, some predictions
about areas where these DH methods might be useful, and a
demonstration project which incorporates some of the most promising
techniques. Suitable preparation for the thesis would be a knowledge
of, or at least interest in, AI and Databases.
Profs. David Brown & Nabil Hachem
FL 131 FL 138
831-5618 831-5669
dcb@cs.wpi.edu hachem@cs.wpi.edu