How can we unify disparate databases? This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of methodologies for database schema integration, a crucial process for achieving a unified data representation within organizations. Database design often results in multiple schemas that need merging; this research addresses the challenge of integrating these schemas into a cohesive global schema. The study provides a unifying framework for understanding the schema integration problem and offers a comparative review of existing methodologies. By examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, it lays the groundwork for future improvements and extensions in the field. This research provides a foundation for developing more effective and robust database integration techniques, ultimately facilitating better data management and interoperability across organizational boundaries.
Published in ACM Computing Surveys, this paper fits the journal’s scope by providing a comprehensive review and comparative analysis of methodologies relevant to computer science. Database schema integration is a core topic in database management, and this survey offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the field. The paper’s focus on unifying frameworks aligns with the journal’s mission of providing in-depth coverage of key computing topics.