This section lists papers from Dr. Michael Blaha published by IEEE. These papers are available from IEEE or ACM.
Contact us at info@modelsoftcorp.com if you are interested in a specific paper.
IEEE Software
Converting OO Models Into RDBMS Schema
By Michael Blaha, William Premerlani, Hwa Shen
Date: May 1994
pp. 28-39
This approach combines OMTool, an object-model editor, with the Schemer compiler.
Schemer converts the object model into SQL code, which can then be used to
generate relational tables.
Communication of the ACM
An approach for reverse engineering of relational databases
By William J. Premerlani, Michael R. Blaha
Date: January 1988
pp. 42-ff.
We consider here the importance of an overall systems viewpoint in avoiding computer-related
risks. According to Webster's, a system is a regularly interacting or interdependent group of
items forming a unified whole. In computer systems, one person'...
An object-oriented relational database
By William J. Premerlani, James E. Rumbaugh, Michael R. Blaha, Thomas A. Varwig
Date: January 1988
pp. 99-109
A relational DBMS and an object-oriented programming language can be combined to yield a
surprisingly effective OO-DBMS for many applications.
Relational database design using an object-oriented methodology
By Michael R. Blaha, William J. Premerlani, James E. Rumbaugh
Date: January 1988
pp. 414-427
Of the many approaches to relational database design, the Object Modeling Technique (OMT) is
particularly effective. A comprehensive explanation and two applications show the semantic
improvement of OMT over other approaches.
Computer Magazine
A Copper Bullet for Software Quality Improvement
By Michael Blaha
Date: February 2004
pp. 21-25
Fred Brooks long ago observed that there is no silver bullet to improve software quality. However,
there are copper bullets--lesser steps that improve quality over time. One of these is the notion
of software engineering, the practice of thinking ...
A Pattern for Softcoded Values
By Michael Blaha, Cheryl Smith
Date: May 2002
pp. 28-34
Builders of database applications focus on using data structure models to facilitate storing and
retrieving data. Using abstractions can enhance their understanding of these structures as well as
their ability to subsequently manipulate data.
Data Warehouses and Decision Support Systems
By Michael Blaha
Date: December 2001
pp. 38-39
IT Professional
How to Recognize Database Winners and Losers
by Michael R. Blaha
Even reputable vendors produce lemon software. By reverse-engineering the underlying database, you
can find errors you may not be able to live with.
Citation: Michael R. Blaha, "How to Recognize Database Winners and Losers,"
IT Professional, vol. 01, no. 3, pp. 20-25, May/Jun, 1999.
The Case for Reverse Engineering
By Michael R. Blaha
Date: March 1999
pp. 35-41
It may seem hard to choose between two software products, but studying their databases can reveal a
clear winner and save you years of grief.
Working Conference on Reverse Engineering
A Retrospective on Industrial Database Reverse Engineering Projects - Part 2
Eighth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'01)
By Michael Blaha
Date: October 2001
pp. 147
This paper continues the compilation of results from the reverse engineering of 35 databases by
presenting a series of standard observations and their variation across the databases.
A Retrospective on Industrial Database Reverse Engineering Projects - Part 1
Eighth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'01)
By Michael Blaha
Date: October 2001
pp. 136
This paper presents a compilation of results from the reverse engineering of 35 databases. All
the work was performed by the same reverse engineer (the author) over the past nine years.
Teaching Database Reverse Engineering
Seventh Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'00)
By Michael Blaha, Ian Benson
Date: November 2000
pp. 79
This paper reports on an experience in teaching database reverse engineering. We found a graduated
sequence of case studies to be effective. Our evidence is anecdotal, but we believe the observations
will be helpful for improving teaching techniques.
An Industrial Example of Database Reverse Engineering
Sixth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'99)
By Michael Blaha
Date: October 1999
pp. 196
This paper presents an industrial example of database reverse engineering. The example has been
abridged so that it fits within a paper. Also some of the field names have been disguised as a
courtesy to the source company.
On Reverse Engineering of Vendor Databases
Fifth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'98)
By Michael Blaha
Date: October 1998
pp. 183
This is a position paper. We articulate the notion of reverse engineering of vendor databases and
argue that this is a compelling technology that organizations should be routinely practicing. We take
the perspective of a large organization that is a ...
Requirements for Repository Software
Fifth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'98)
By Michael Blaha, David LaPlant, Erica Marvak
Date: October 1998
pp. 164
A repository is a database that holds information about models, implementation artifacts, and their
mappings. This paper concerns the use of a repository for database applications. A repository is a
prerequisite to leverage the fill potential of reve...
Dimensions of Data ase Reverse Engineering
Fourth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE '97)
By Michael R. Blaha
Date: October 1997
pp. 176
We continue to be surprised by the variability of reverse engineering problems. When we tackle new
problems, we often encounter situations we have not seen before. For these different situations, we
have to adjust our reverse engineering techniques.
Dimensions of Database Reverse Engineering
Fourth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE '97)
By Michael R. Blaha
Date: October 1997
pp. 176
We continue to be surprised by the variability reverse engineering problems. When we tackle new
problems, we often encounter situations we have not seen before. For these different situations, we
have to adjust our reverse engineering techniques, lev...
Observed idiosyncracies of relational database designs
Second Working Conference on Reverse Engineering
By M.R. Blaha, W.J. Premerlani
Date: July 1995
pp. 116
Several processes have been advanced in the literature for reverse engineering of relational databases.
The inputs to these processes are relational tables and available contextual information.
A catalog of object model transformations
Third Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE '96)
By M. Blaha, W. Premerlani
Date: November 1996
pp. 87
The process of software development is gradually achieving more rigor. Proficient developers now
construct software indirectly through the abstraction of models. Models allow a developer to focus on
the essential aspects of an application.
