SMART: A tool for analyzing and reconciling schema matching networks
Résumé
Abstract—Schema matching supports data integration by establishing
correspondences between the attributes of independently
designed database schemas. In recent years, various
tools for automatic pair-wise matching of schemas have been
developed. Since the matching process is inherently uncertain,
the correspondences generated by such tools are often validated
by a human expert. In this work, we consider scenarios in
which attribute correspondences are identified in a network of
schemas and not only in a pairwise setting. Here, correspondences
between different schemas are interrelated, so that incomplete
and erroneous matching results propagate in the network and the
validation of a correspondence by an expert has ripple effects.
To analyse and reconcile such matchings in schema networks,
we present the Schema Matching Analyzer and Reconciliation
Tool (SMART). It allows for the definition of network-level
integrity constraints for the matching and, based thereon, detects
and visualizes inconsistencies of the matching. The tool also
supports the reconciliation of a matching by guiding an expert
in the validation process and by offering semi-automatic conflictresolution
techniques.