Re: [xml-dev] Should Subject Matter Experts Determine XML Data Implement

[Dave Pawson <davep@dpawson.co.uk>]

Costello, Roger L. wrote:
> Hi Dave, 
> 
>> This is just echoing what was supposed to happen with AI 
>> systems in the '80's. Pick the brains of the SMEs and dump 
>> it into Expert Systems. It didn't work then. Why should 
>> it be any different now?
> 
> I'm not talking about creating Expert Systems. In fact, I'm not talking
> about "application design" at all. I'm talking about "data design."
> 
> I'm talking about picking the brains of the people who truly understand
> the *data* and the *data relationships*, and capturing their knowledge
> in a Data Specification. Then, from that Data Specification an XML
> Schema is implemented by an XML Schema designer. 

Which scarily echoes what was said to a group in the UK by some AI
guru. The segment totally missed was the twenty odd years of 'wisdom'
that these experts apply above and beyond the 'facts' collected by
the AI guy.




> For example, if an expert on Books says that the data which identifies
> a book is its ISBN value, is it acceptable for an XML Schema designer
> to instead use a GUID? If a Book expert says that the printer/producer
> of a book is called its "Publisher," is it acceptable for an XML Schema
> designer to instead call it "Pub"?  And so forth. 

The book expert would use his/her judgement backed by the 
experience/wisdom of having done it 1000 times before.
The data designer would put his/her own interpretation on
the given schema. Different animal.


> 
> 
> Hi Tommie,
> 
>> Many organizations have found that an iterative
>> process, in which technology experts consult with SMEs and
>> revise the specification, and the design, many times during
>> development.

Application of expertise to data design?




regards

-- 
Dave Pawson
XSLT XSL-FO FAQ.
http://www.dpawson.co.uk