A Model for Classification Structures with Evolution Control

We present a general model for classification structures that supports object role modelling. Objects can be associated with many roles simultaneously in a way that provides multiple classification views over objects. Further, objects can change their roles through migration within a classification graph. Object migration is controlled through the structure of the classification graph and the types of the nodes, thereby restricting possible evolution paths. We show how the model can be generalised to classification structures over relationships. In addition, we consider approaches to constraint maintenance in the case of object and relationship evolution.