Integrated Definition (IDEF)

IDEF (Integrated Definition) - IDEF (for Integrated Definition) is a group of modeling methods that can be used to describe operations in an enterprise. IDEF was created by the United States Air Force and is now being developed by Knowledge Based Systems. Originally developed for the manufacturing environment, IDEF methods have been adapted for wider use and for software development in general.

Sixteen methods, from IDEF0 to IDEF14 (and including IDEF1X), are each designed to capture a particular type of information through modeling processes. IDEF methods are used to create graphical representations of various systems, analyze the model, create a model of a desired version of the system, and to aid in the transition from one to the other. IDEF is sometimes used along with gap analysis.

The following table lists the IDEF methods either current or in development. IDEF0 through IDEF4 are the methods most commonly used.

IDEF METHODS
IDEF0	Function Modeling
IDEF1	Information Modeling
IDEF1X	Data Modeling
IDEF2	Simulation Model Design
IDEF3	Process Description Capture
IDEF4	Object-Oriented Design
IDEF5	Ontology Description Capture
IDEF6	Design Rationale Capture
IDEF7	Information System Auditing
IDEF8	User Interface Modeling
IDEF9	Scenario-Driven IS Design
IDEF10	Implementation Architecture Modeling
IDEF11	Information Artifact Modeling
IDEF12	Organization Modeling
IDEF13	Three Schema Mapping Design
IDEF14	Network Design

As an example of the process, IDEF0 methods are used to model the functions of an enterprise, creating a graphical model that shows: what controls the function, who performs it, what resources are used in carrying it out, what it produces, and what relationships it has to other functions.

Also see Unified Modeling Language (UML).

Related glossary terms: Web Services Description Language (WSDL), Java Messaging Service (JMS), appliance computing, Java Naming Directory Interface (JNDI), table, redirection, WS-AtomicTransaction (WS-AT), Portal Markup Language (PML), URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), Internet map

[Category=Data Management ]

Source: WhatIs.com, 17 August 2013 09:05:26, http://whatis.techtarget.com/glossary/Data-and-Data-Management