Editing data using the “Transformation” model

The problem of coordinating the semantics of data presented within different models has remained relevant for a significant period of time. First of all, this is related to the convenience of work for users who are accustomed to certain tools, for example, spreadsheets. The data prepared in these environments needs to be loaded into a centralized database, which makes it possible to get rid of duplication and inconsistency of data. An obstacle to this path is the problem of data reconciliation. Editing data directly in the database is a difficult task for non-programmer users. The traditional way to solve this problem is to develop special applications that have limited functionality. This paper proposes a technology that allows editing data in a database using spreadsheets, making their rich functionality available. The main difference from similar approaches is the use of the “Transformation” model, which makes the presentation of data convenient for human perception. Since the “Transformation” data model differs significantly from the relational model, there is a need to reconcile data between the database and spreadsheets. To solve similar problems, L.A. Kalinichenko proposed a method of commutative transformations in databases. In this paper, this technique, with some modifications, is used in algorithms for transferring data from a database to “Transformation” and back. The article presents an overview of works on the problem of data matching in various sources, a description of the data model “Transformation”, including: a description of the table schema, conditions for the existence of a table instance and data editing operations. The paper describes an algorithm for loading data into a table from a database and the algorithm for transforming data in a database in accordance with changes in the table, defines the conditions for the commutativity of the transformations, and presents a proof of the correctness of the transformations.