Can databases better reflect real-world complexity? This paper introduces SDM, a semantics-based database model designed to capture more meaning from application environments than contemporary models allow. SDM uses high-level modeling primitives to describe a database in terms of entities, classifications, groupings, and structural interconnections. The power of derived information is on full display as SDM allows information to be viewed in several ways; this accommodates diverse needs and processing requirements. The authors build upon prior experience to present the current SDM design, highlighting its ability to enhance the effectiveness and usability of database systems. This database description serves as a documentation tool that provides the basis for powerful user interface facilities, can serve as a conceptual model in the database design process, and be used as the database model for a new kind of database management system. This paper provides insights into the development of SDM, its significance within the field, and the potential benefits it brings to database management, making it a key contribution for those interested in **information technology** and **computer science**.
This article, published in ACM Transactions on Database Systems, fits squarely within the journal's focus on database theory, design, and implementation. By presenting SDM, a novel database model, the paper contributes directly to the journal’s exploration of advanced database technologies and their impact on application development.