A methodology for multimedia database design

Hobbs, V.J. and Pigott, D. (2002) A methodology for multimedia database design. In: 10th International Conference on Information Systems Development, 5 - 7 September, 2001, London.

Abstract

In this paper we describe a methodology that we have developed to teach multimedia database design. Multimedia databases have novel requirements compared with conventional text and numeric databases, in particular the need to consider the most appropriate physical formats of the digital artefacts and the inherent polysemy of media artefacts. However the need to be able to model a problem at a high level of abstraction, and to proceed from a conceptual to physical solution, remain essential. The approach we describe here ensures a parallel focus on representing both the role in the context of the database, and its appropriate technical specification, and incorporates media requirements into a conventional data modelling technique. The database design and documentation produced allow considerations of specific implementation to be deferred as long as possible.