The Data Model Resource Book, Volume 3: Universal Patterns for Data Modeling

Silverston c07.tex V2 - 11/20/2008 5:44pm Page 408

Table 7-21 (continued)

PATTERN DESCRIPTION WHEN TO USE WHEN NOT TO USE PROS CONS

Contact

Mechanism

Pattern with

Geographic

Boundary

Provides a very

flexible data model

structure for

maintaining all

different types of

geographic

boundaries, the

associations

between

geographic

boundaries, and the

relationships that

geographic

boundaries have to

contact

mechanisms. This

pattern can be used

to enhance the

level2,3,and4

contact mechanism

patterns.

When there is a need to have

a very flexible solution for

maintaining jurisdiction data.

When there is a need to

maintain the various types of

geographic boundaries that

exist for domestic and

international addresses.

When there is a need to

maintain which geographic

boundaries are related to each

other in order to improve data

quality. For example, to know

the valid postal codes for a

certain city.

When there is a need to

classify telecommunications

numbers and electronic

addresses by various

geographic boundaries.

When there is a need for a

specific data model to

understand and validate the

various relationships between

geographic boundaries that

are needed.

When there is a need to

capture specific relationships

between specific geographic

boundaries. This pattern hides

the complex relationships

between geographic

boundaries, for example, that

there may be a one-to-many

relationship between

COUNTRY and TERRORITY for

a certain part of the world.

When the enterprise ...