*#REDIRECT [[ MentalDomain model]] ▼{{merge to|Domain model|discuss=Talk:Conceptual model (computer science)#Merge Conceptual model (computer science) into Domain model|date=September 2023}}
{{nofootnotes|date=March 2015}}
In [[computer science]], a '''conceptual model''', or [[___domain model]], represents concepts ([[Entity|entities]]) and relationships between them.
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==Overview==
In the field of [[computer science]] a conceptual model aims to express the meaning of terms and concepts used by ___domain experts to discuss the problem, and to find the correct relationships between different concepts. The conceptual model is explicitly chosen to be independent of design or [[implementation]] concerns, for example, concurrency or [[data storage]]. Conceptual modeling in computer science should not be confused with other modeling disciplines within the broader field of [[conceptual model]]s such as [[data modelling]], [[logical modelling]] and physical modelling.
The conceptual model attempts to clarify the meaning of various, usually ambiguous terms, and ensure that confusion caused by different interpretations of the terms and concepts cannot occur. Such differing interpretations could easily cause confusion amongst stakeholders, especially those responsible for designing and implementing a solution, where the conceptual model provides a key artifact of business understanding and clarity. Once the ___domain concepts have been modeled, the model becomes a [[stability (software engineering)|stable]] basis for subsequent development of applications in the ___domain. The concepts of the conceptual model can be mapped into physical design or implementation constructs using either manual or [[Model-driven development|automated code generation approaches]]. The realization of conceptual models of many domains can be combined to a coherent platform.
A conceptual model can be described using various notations, such as [[Unified Modeling Language|UML]], [[Object-role modeling|ORM]] or [[Object-modeling technique|OMT]] for object modelling, [[Information Technology Engineering|ITE]], or [[IDEF1X]] for [[Entity-relationship model|Entity Relationship Modelling]]. In UML notation, the conceptual model is often described with a [[class diagram]] in which [[class (computer science)|class]]es represent concepts, [[Association (object-oriented programming)|association]]s represent relationships between concepts and [[role type]]s of an association represent role types taken by instances of the modelled concepts in various situations. In ER notation, the conceptual model is described with an ER Diagram in which entities represent concepts, [[Cardinality_(data_modeling)|cardinality]] and [[optionality]] represent relationships between concepts. Regardless of the notation used, it is important not to compromise the richness and clarity of the business meaning depicted in the conceptual model by expressing it directly in a form influenced by design or implementation concerns.
This is often used for defining different processes in a particular company or institute.
== See also ==
* [[Information model]]
* [[Domain (software engineering)]]
== Further reading ==
* [[Terry Halpin|Halpin T]], [[Tony Morgan (computer scientist)|Morgan T]]: Information Modeling and Relational Databases, Morgan Kaufmann, 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-12-373568-3}}.
* [[Martin Fowler (software engineer)|Fowler, Martin]]: Analysis Patterns, Reusable object models, Addison-Wesley Longman, 1997. {{ISBN|0-201-89542-0}}.
* Stewart Robinson, Roger Brooks, Kathy Kotiadis, and Durk-Jouke Van Der Zee (Eds.): Conceptual Modeling for Discrete-Event Simulation, 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-4398-1037-8}}
* David W. Embley, Bernhard Thalheim (Eds.): Handbook of Conceptual Modeling, 2011. {{ISBN|978-3-642-15864-3}}.
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[[Category:Software requirements]]
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