Abstract: Cross database model datum access with semantic preservation is provided. Data stored in a database under a particular database model can typically be inaccessible or not interoperable with data stored in another database model. A first datum of a first database model is transformed to an interim datum of an interim database model while preserving the data semantics associated with the first datum. Further, the second datum can be transformed into a third datum associated with a third database model, again while preserving the semantics. As such, data in a first silo can be accessed in a different silo while retaining semantic relationships. Further, the use of an interim database can reduce the processing needed to accomplish transforms between a planarity of database models.

Abstract: A method of translating a relational database into an XML document comprises generating an Extended Entity Relationship model from relational schema associated with the relational database and applying a schema translation process to the Extended Entity Relationship model to map the relational schema into a Document Type Definition (DTD) of an XML schema. An XML Tree Model is then generated from the Document Type Definition, the XML Tree Model being representative of one or more data semantics of the relational schema which are preserved as one or more data semantics in the XML document. Relational data from the relational database is then converted into the XML document using the relational schema and the XML schema from the Document Type Definition and/or the XML Tree Model. There is also described a method of translating an XML database into a relational database which comprises the reversal of the steps of the aforementioned method, and a system for implementing both methods.