On the importance of functions in data modeling

TL;DR

This paper advocates for using mathematical functions instead of tuple attributes to represent entity properties, addressing tuple immutability issues and simplifying data modeling.

Contribution

It introduces the concept-oriented model (COM), where functions are first-class elements, offering a more natural and flexible approach to data representation.

Findings

Functions effectively represent mutable entity properties.

COM simplifies data modeling compared to set-oriented models.

Addresses tuple immutability conflicts in data models.

Abstract

In this paper we argue that representing entity properties by tuple attributes, as evangelized in most set-oriented data models, is a controversial method conflicting with the principle of tuple immutability. As a principled solution to this problem of tuple immutability on one hand and the need to modify tuple attributes on the other hand, we propose to use mathematical functions for representing entity properties. In this approach, immutable tuples are intended for representing the existence of entities while mutable functions (mappings between sets) are used for representing entity properties. In this model, called the concept-oriented model (COM), functions are made first-class elements along with sets, and both functions and sets are used to represent and process data in a simpler and more natural way in comparison to purely set-oriented models.