Generating three-tier applications from relational databases: a
formal and practical approach
Macario Polo, Juan Ángel Gómez, Mario Piattini, Francisco
Ruiz
Abstract
This article describes a method for building applications with a
three-tier structure (presentation, business, persistence) from an
existing relational database. The method works as a transformation
function that takes the relational schema as its input, producing three
sets of classes (which depend on the actual system being reengineered)
to represent the final application, as well as some additional
auxiliary classes (which are 'constant' and always generated, such as
an 'About' dialog, for example). All the classes generated are
adequately placed along the three-tiers.The method is based on (1) the
formalization of all the sets involved in the process, and (2) the
mathematical formulation of the required functions to get the final
application. For this second step, we have taken into account several
well-known, widely used design and transformation patterns that produce
high quality designs and highly maintainable software.The method is
implemented in a tool that we have successfully used in several
projects of medium size. Obviously, it is quite difficult for the
obtained software to fulfill all the requirements desired by the
customer, but the uniformity and understandability of its design makes
very easy its modification.
Information
and Software Technology, 44(15), 923-941. 2002