Schema Evolution publication categorizer

This paper addresses the design of a schema evo-
lution framework enabling an efficient management of
object versions. This framework is based on the adap-
tation and extension of two main schema evolution
approaches, that is the approaches based on schema
modification and those based on schema versioning.
The framework provides an integrated environment to
support different levels of adaptation (such as, modifi-
cation and versioning at the schema level, conversion,
object versioning, and emulation at the instance level).
In addition, we introduce the concept of class/schema
version pertinence enabling the database administra-
tor to judge the pertinence of versions with regard the
application programs. Finally, we provide operations
for immediate refreshing of a database to enable an ef-
ficient manipulation of versions by a large number of
application programs.